Valery Giscard d'Estaing

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (February 2, 1926 – December 2, 2020) was a French politician and statesman who served as President of France from 1974 to 1981. Before his presidency, he held the position of Minister of Economy and Finance, where he earned a reputation as a technocrat and reformer. As President, Giscard d'Estaing implemented significant modernization policies aimed at liberalizing French society and economy, including reforms in education, labor laws, and cultural institutions. He lowered the voting age to 18 and championed the legalization of divorce by mutual consent. Internationally, Giscard d'Estaing was a staunch supporter of European integration and played a crucial role in the development of what would become the European Union. He established the European Council and the German-French cooperation framework that became foundational to European unity. Though his presidency ended after a single term due to economic pressures and political competition, his intellectual legacy and contributions to European governance remained significant. He remained active in French politics and international affairs throughout his later life.