France to hold national day of mourning on Monday for Chirac
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French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday evening declared next Monday, Sept. 30, a national day of mourning for former President Jacques Chirac, who passed away Thursday morning at age 86.
In a nationally televised speech paying tribute to his predecessor, Macron lauded Chirac as a statesman who “incarnated a certain ideal of France” and “a great Frenchman loving our land, our history and our culture.”
The national day of mourning will include a requiem mass at the Saint-Sulpice church in Paris. Condolences may be offered at the Elysee Palace from Thursday evening until Sunday, the French presidency said.
French honor guards stand next to a Jacques Chirac’s portrait as people sign condolence registers at the Elysee Presidential Palace, following the death of former French President Jacques Chirac in Paris, France. Chirac died peacefully surrounded by his family, aged 86. The former French president Jacques Chirac’s health was troubled ever since a 2005 stroke he suffered while still in office. He was head of state from 1995 to 2007, was twice president, twice prime minister and 18 years mayor of Paris. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Chirac, a centre-right politician served as head of state from 1995 to 2007.
Leaders both past and present from around the world have expressed their condolences in the wake of Jacques Chirac’s death. The former French president counted many world leaders as among his personal friends.
People sign condolence registers in front of the Hotel de Ville (city hall), following the death of former French President Jacques Chirac in Paris, France. EPA-EFE/IAN LANGSDON
