Former French President killed in COVID-19

Former French President Valerie Giscard de Estaying has died of a coronavirus at the age of 94.

Giscard was hospitalized in September with respiratory problems before returning to the hospital in November. He died at home, suffering from viral problems. According to Reuters.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to Giscard, saying “he has worked all his life to strengthen relations between European nations.”

Former French President Valerie Giscard de Estaying is the architect of EU integration https://t.co/z4bdRu7BdC pic.twitter.com/VNKewBRdEA

– Reuters (e Reuters) December 2, 2020

Giscard led France from 1974 to 1981 and modernized the country by allowing divorce by mutual consent and legalizing abortion, Reuters reported. He was the first president to be elected after Charles de Gaulle was in power.

During his presidency, Giscard sought to simplify France’s social attitudes and economy, Reuters reported. He was responsible for major projects such as France’s high-speed TGV rail network.

His term ended in the 1970s, when he lost the re-election bid to Franయిois Mittrand in the midst of the recession.

Reuters reports that he played a key role in the creation of the euro single currency, along with then West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who helped establish the European monetary system.

“Extraordinary political life. I love talking to him. The love-hate relationship with our country is complete. Macron is his successor in many ways. He is a great politician who can change Europe but not France, “said Denise McChann, a former member of the British Parliament.

Valerie Giscard de Estaying dies at 94 years old. Extraordinary political life. I love talking to him. The love-hate relationship with our country is complete. Macron is his successor in many ways. He is a big politician who can change Europe but not France -ChausNews -StigAbel IckNickFerrariLBC

– Denise McShane (en Denis McShane) December 2, 2020