FORMER French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing has died at the age of 94 after contracting the coronavirus.
Giscard was admitted to hospital in September with respiratory problems before being hospitalized again in November. He died at his home after suffering complications linked to the virus, according to Reuters.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to Giscard, saying he “worked his whole life to reinforce relations between European nations.”
Giscard led France from 1974 to 1981 and was credited with modernizing the country by allowing divorce by mutual consent and legalizing abortion, Reuters reported.
During his presidency, Giscard sought to liberalize France’s social attitudes and economy, Reuters notes. He was responsible for major projects such as France’s high-speed TGV train network.
His time in office ended in the 1970s when he lost his reelection bid to Francois Mitterrand in the midst of an economic downturn.
Reuters reported that he had
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
