Jacques Chirac, the rise to power
From Paris City Hall to the Presidency of France
A retrospective of a political career
On February 17, 1995, Jacques Chirac stood before 15,000 supporters at the Palais des Congrès, celebrating his victory in the presidential election. This marked the culmination of a long and arduous political journey that began with his election as Mayor of Paris in 1977.
Chirac's path to the presidency was marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He served as Prime Minister under President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing from 1974 to 1976, but his tenure was cut short by the election of Socialist François Mitterrand in 1981.
Chirac returned to power in 1986 as Mayor of Paris, a position he held until 1995. During his time as Mayor, he oversaw a number of major projects, including the construction of the Grande Arche de la Défense and the renovation of the Louvre Museum.
In 1995, Chirac finally achieved his goal of becoming President of France. He defeated Socialist candidate Lionel Jospin in a runoff election, and served as President for two terms, from 1995 to 2007.
Chirac's presidency was marked by a number of significant events, including the introduction of the euro currency, the passage of the Civil Solidarity Pact (PACS), and France's participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Chirac left office in 2007 with a mixed legacy. He was praised for his leadership during France's transition to the euro, but he was also criticized for his handling of the Iraq War and for his involvement in a number of corruption scandals.
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