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:
“All Presidents start out to run a crusade but after a couple of years they find they are running something less heroic and much more intractable: namely the presidency. The people are well cured by then of election fever, during which they think they are choosing Moses. In the third year, they look on the man as a sinner and a bumbler and begin to poke around for rumours of another Messiah.”
—Alistair Cooke (b. 1908)
“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)