France: Former Prime Minister Édouard Balladur dies aged 97
Édouard Balladur, the former French prime minister, has died at the age of 97. A leading figure of the Fifth Republic, he notably headed the government in 1993 and ran in the 1995 presidential election.
Former French Prime Minister Édouard Balladur has died at the age of 97, according to reports on Monday by France 24 and Le Monde.
A major figure of the Fifth Republic, he held several senior positions at the highest levels of the state during his political and administrative career.
A career at the heart of the state
Édouard Balladur served as secretary-general of the Élysée under President Georges Pompidou. He also took part in the negotiations on the Grenelle agreements in 1968.
In 1993, he became head of government under President François Mitterrand.
The 1995 presidential election
Édouard Balladur ran in the 1995 presidential election. He was defeated by Jacques Chirac.
His death marks the passing of an important figure in the political life of France's Fifth Republic.
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