France lost, with the death of Jacques Chirac, one of the most outstanding presidents of its recent history. First by its longevity, since he remained president for 12 years without interruption, between 1995 and 2007. Only François Mitterrand (1981-1995), did better. Secondly, if he has not been the most active head of state, Jacques Chirac will have marked his era with decisions that will remain. Europe 1 has selected four.
The responsibility of the French state in the persecution of Jews
President for only a few weeks Jacques Chirac began his first term with a highly symbolic speech. On 16 July 1995, at the commemoration of the 53rd anniversary of the Vel 'd'Hiv' raid, the Head of State acknowledged that none of his predecessors had been responsible for the state in the deportation and persecution of the Jews. "These black hours forever defile our history and are an insult to our past and our traditions, yes, the criminal madness of the occupier was, as everyone knows, seconded by the French, seconded by the French State."
"Acknowledging the mistakes of the past and the mistakes made by the state, not to conceal the dark hours of our history, is simply to defend an idea of the man, his freedom and his dignity", continues Jacques Chirac to justify his position. "It's fighting against the dark forces constantly at work," he concludes. A speech that his very firm stance towards the far right during his twelve years of presidency will never contradict.
The refusal of the war in Iraq
This action has earned him a high popularity, in France as elsewhere except, of course, in the United States. In 2003, two years after an intervention in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks, George W. Bush, the US president, plans to invade Iraq. Jacques Chirac then takes the lead of the opponents of such an operation, alongside the Russian Putin or the German Schröder. Through his intense diplomatic action, he gets the United States to seek the agreement of the UN to intervene. Unconvinced by US arguments about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he suggests he will use France's right of veto at the UN Security Council.
And it is within this very Council of Security that the scene remains in all memories. Jacques Chirac sent his Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin to the front to raise his voice. Expert lyricism , the future Prime Minister justifies the French position. "In this temple of the United Nations, we are the guardians of an ideal, we are the guardians of a conscience, the heavy responsibility and the immense honor which are ours must lead us to give priority to the disarmament in the peace, "he says.
Then, in response to critics of some American personalities about "old Europe": "And it's an old country, France of an old continent like mine, Europe, who tells you today. has experienced wars, occupation, barbarism, a country that does not forget and who knows all he owes freedom fighters from America and elsewhere, "he concludes, is rare, under applause. After this speech, the United States understands that they will have to do without the UN agreement to intervene.
The end of compulsory military service
In 1996, Jacques Chirac decided to close a page of history almost 200 years old: he abolished compulsory military service, instituted in 1798. After a debate of several months, he announced his final decision on May 28, 1996 during a televised speech. "The traditional conscription no longer meets the requirements of a modern army in a large modern country," said the head of state. "I will propose that the national service that we know today be abolished as of January 1, 1997 and that it give way to voluntary work while maintaining the principle of an appointment between the nation and its youth". Young people born on or after January 1, 1979, are not eligible for military service. And most do not complain.
Military service is replaced by a national service on a voluntary basis. On the other hand, all young people have to go through a Defense Appeals Day, which was replaced in 2010 by Defense and Citizenship Day.
The transition from seven to five years
Heir of claimed Gaullism, Jacques Chirac has not yet made excessive use of the referendum. The former president sought the opinion of the people only twice: in 2005, on the European Constitution, with a rejection to the key. And, before that, in 2000, on the passage of the septennat to the quinquennium. The President of the Republic then fulfills a mandate of seven years since 1873 all the same. But at the dawn of the new millennium, this length is considered too long by a large majority in the political class. For Jacques Chirac, the opportunity to consult the French on a largely consensual subject is too beautiful.
On September 24, 2000, voters are called to the polls. Few of them move, since the abstention rate is 69.81%. But the yes largely wins, with 73.21% of the votes cast. The five-year period comes into effect immediately, and it is still the rule today. And it is Jacques Chirac in person who inaugurates it, winning the presidential election of 2002.