Emmanuel Macron paid tribute Thursday evening to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the day after his death, at 94 years old.
He praised its modernity, its courage, its daring and its European commitment.
The head of state also announced a day of national mourning on December 9.
The day after the death of former President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Emmanuel Macron spoke Thursday at 8 p.m.
The head of state first welcomed the modernity of the former president.
"If our society has modernized, it is also to its courage and daring that we owe it", declared Emmanuel Macron.
"40 years later, what he accomplished will always be with us," he continued.
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"Valéry Giscard d'Estaing lives in our lives today"
Emmanuel Macron also praised his European commitment: "His visionary intelligence has largely contributed to it. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing lives in our lives today, probably even more than we think".
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No national homage, "out of modesty"
The President of the Republic also indicated that VGE and his family did not want a national tribute to be organized in his honor, "out of modesty".
A national day of mourning was however declared on December 9.
Words of tribute may also be written in town halls or at the Musée d'Orsay.
On February 2, the date of his birthday, a "solemn tribute" will be paid to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
More information to follow.