Former French president Jacques Chirac passes away

Jacques Chirac, former French president whose later years were blighted by corruption scandals, has died aged 86.

He served two terms as French president and took his country into the single European currency. Chirac led the country between 1995 and 2007

One of his major political reforms was to cut the presidential term of office from seven to five years.

Chirac to stand trial on corruption charges
A file photograph dated 16 May 2007, shows former President Jacques Chirac as he waves upon departure from the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, after being replaced by Nicolas Sarkozy. EPA/HORACIO VILLALOBOS

Charming, statuesque and a consummate political animal, Chirac was a presence on the French political arena for more than four decades. But he is best known internationally for his final term at the Élysée presidential palace, a five-year period that proved extraordinary from start to finish.

Chirac is probably best remembered in France for his 2002 presidential bid, when the centre-right politician made it past the first round despite corruption allegations to face National Front (FN) candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen in the run-off following the latter’s shock advance.

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