Jacques Chirac

In 1959, after completing studies at the École Nationale d'Administration, Jacques Chirac entered high-level civil service, then soon entered politics. He has since occupied various high-level positions, such as minister of agriculture, prime minister, mayor of Paris, and finally president of France.

Related Topics:
1959 - École Nationale d'Administration - Paris

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He has stood for lower tax rates; the removal of price controls; strong punishments for crime and terrorism; and business privatization. However, he also, at other times, argued for more "social" economic policies and was elected in 1995 after a campaign where he said he would reduce the "social rift" (fracture sociale). On economic policies, he has at various times advocated both laissez-faire and dirigiste positions. On European issues, he has had at times very eurosceptic positions, and at other times rather fairly pro-European Union positions.

Related Topics:
Price control - Privatization - 1995 - Laissez-faire - Dirigiste - European - Eurosceptic

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In 1953, he married Bernadette Chodron de Courcel which whom he has two daughters, Laurence and Claude, one of whom has long been his public relations assistant and personal advisor (Claude Chirac). He is a Roman Catholic.

Related Topics:
1953 - Bernadette Chodron de Courcel - Claude Chirac - Roman Catholic

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Bernadette and Jacques Chirac have also informally adopted a boat people refugee, Anh Dao Traxel, whom they took in their home in 1979, when she was 21. She is considered as their foster daughter.

Related Topics:
Boat people - Anh Dao Traxel - 1979 - Foster

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