07/12/2020
Cable Network Euronews reports that the former French President, Monsieur Valery-Giscard D'Estang has passed on at the age of ninety four. D'Estang had a long career in democracy and defending democratic institutions. He fought with the Free French Armies and Resistance movements against the Nazi Occupation of France, and was appointed to post war government by General Charles De Gaulle. D'Estang was elected President in 1974 and served until 1981. He was fiscally conservative but socially liberal, and encouraged new attitudes towards divorce, homosexuality, sexual diversity and reproductive freedoms during his Presidency. Tributes to Mr D'Estang have come in from across the political spectrum in France. D'Estang was also a wise grandfather to the European Union and although he regretted the 2016 decision of Britain to leave, he also argued that the EU would emerge the stronger for being rid of the troublesome island to its west. D'Estang was active in politics and political writing up to his death, which was caused by a Covid19 complication to a heart complaint.
