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Jacques Toubon (born 21 June 1941[1]) is a right-wing French politician who held several major national and Parisian offices. He served as Defender of Rights (Ombudsman) between 2014 and 2020.[2]
Jacques Toubon | |
|---|---|
 Toubon in 2023 | |
| Defender of Rights | |
| In office 17 July 2014 – 16 July 2020 | |
| President | François Hollande Emmanuel Macron |
| Preceded by | Dominique Baudis |
| Succeeded by | Claire Hédon |
| Minister of Culture | |
| In office 1993–1995 | |
| President | François Mitterrand |
| Prime Minister | Édouard Balladur |
| Preceded by | Jack Lang |
| Succeeded by | Philippe Douste-Blazy |
| Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice | |
| In office 1995–1997 | |
| President | Jacques Chirac |
| Prime Minister | Alain Juppé |
| Preceded by | Pierre Méhaignerie |
| Succeeded by | Élisabeth Guigou |
| Mayor of the 13th arrondissement of Paris | |
| In office 1983–2001 | |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Serge Blisko |
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 2004–2009 | |
| Constituency | Île-de-France |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 June 1941 Nice, France |
| Political party | RPR UMP |
| Spouse | Lise Weiler (died 2021) |
| Alma mater | Sciences Po Lyon École nationale d'administration |
Political career
editGovernmental functions
Minister of Culture : 1993–1995.[3]
Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice : 1995–1997.
Electoral mandates
European Parliament
Member of European Parliament : 2004–2009. Elected in 2004.
National Assembly of France
Member of the National Assembly for Paris : 1981–1993 (Became minister in 1993). Elected in 1981, reelected in 1986, 1988, 1993.
Municipal Council
Deputy-mayor of Paris : 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
Councillor of Paris : 1983–2008. Reelected in 1989, 1995, 2001.
Mayor of the 13th arrondissement of Paris : 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
Councillor of the 13th arrondissement of Paris : 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
Controversial actions
editJacques Toubon is known for the controversial so-called Toubon Law, enforcing the use of the French language in official French government publications, and advertisements published in France. Since the law can largely be described as being hostile to English, Jacques Toubon is sometimes referred to, jokingly, as "Mr Allgood" ("All Good" being a translation of "Tout bon").
Jacques Toubon is also remembered for the "helicopter affair". In 1996, an initial criminal enquiry had been opened by Laurent Davenas, then head prosecutor of Évry for alleged misuse of government funds, in which Xavière Tiberi, wife of then mayor of Paris Jean Tiberi (from Toubon's party) was involved. (See corruption scandals in the Paris region). However, this was not a full criminal investigation and no investigative magistrate had been named. Davenas then went on vacation in the Himalaya. His deputy then announced his decision to open a full investigation. The Rally for the Republic leaders were frightened by the possible implications of such an investigation, and Jacques Toubon, then minister of justice, famously hired a helicopter to fetch the mountaineering prosecutor and convince him to rein in his deputy (Davenas refused). [1]
Jacques Toubon has been the topic of much lampooning. In addition to "Mr Allgood", Les Guignols de l'info have referred to him as "M. Bouffon" ("Mr Buffoon").
Personal life
editHe was married to art expert Lise Toubon.[4]
References
edit- ^ "JACQUES TOUBON (1941- ) - Encyclopædia Universalis". www.universalis.fr. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Jacques Toubon has been elected as the new Ombudman of the Ombudsman-Institution "Le Défenseur des droits"". www.theioi.org (in German). Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Ball, Rodney (1997). The French-speaking world: a practical introduction to sociolinguistic issues. Psychology Press. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-415-12986-2.
- ^ "Lise Toubon, passionnée d'art contemporain et amie des artistes, est morte". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
External links
edit- Former official page as Minister of Justice