Former Presidents
Further information: List of Presidents of FranceAs of 2012 there are three living former Presidents:
| Name | Term of office | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | 1974–1981 | (1926-02-02) 2 February 1926 (age 86) |
| Jacques Chirac | 1995–2007 | (1932-11-29) 29 November 1932 (age 79) |
| Nicolas Sarkozy | 2007–2012 | (1955-01-28) 28 January 1955 (age 57) |
According to French law, Former Presidents have guaranteed lifetime pension defined according to the pay grade of the Councillors of State, a courtesy diplomatic passport, and, according to the French Constitution (Article 56), membership of the Constitutional Council.
They also get personnel, an apartment and/or office, and other amenities, though the legal basis for these is disputed. In 2008, according to an answer by the services of the Prime Minister to a question from member of the National Assembly René Dosière, these facilities comprised: a security detail, a car with a chauffeur, office or housing space, maintained by the State. Two people service this space. In addition, the State funds 7 permanent collaborators.
Read more about this topic: President Of France
Famous quotes containing the word presidents:
“You must drop all your democracy. You must not believe in “the people.” One class is no better than another. It must be a case of Wisdom, or Truth. Let the working classes be working classes. That is the truth. There must be an aristocracy of people who have wisdom, and there must be a Ruler: a Kaiser: no Presidents and democracies.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“A president, however, must stand somewhat apart, as all great presidents have known instinctively. Then the language which has the power to survive its own utterance is the most likely to move those to whom it is immediately spoken.”
—J.R. Pole (b. 1922)