Post-presidency Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

valéry giscard d estaing in 1986

after defeat, giscard retired temporarily politics. in 1984, regained seat in parliament , won presidency of regional council of auvergne. in position, tried encourage tourism région, founding european centre of volcanology , theme park vulcania. president of council of european municipalities , regions 1997 2004.

in 1982, along friend gerald ford, co-founded annual aei world forum. took part, prominent role, in annual bilderberg private conference. has served on trilateral commission after being president, writing papers henry kissinger.

he hoped become prime minister of france during first cohabitation (1986–88) or after reelection of mitterrand theme of france united , not chosen position. during 1988 presidential campaign, refused choose publicly between 2 right-wing candidates, 2 former prime ministers jacques chirac , raymond barre. attitude interpreted indicating wanted regain udf leadership.

indeed, served president of udf 1988 1996, faced rise of new generation of politicians called renovationmen . of udf politicians supported candidacy of rpr prime minister Édouard balladur @ 1995 presidential election, giscard supported old rival jacques chirac, won election. same year giscard suffered setback when lost close election mayoralty of clermont-ferrand.

in 2000, made parliamentary proposal reduce length of presidential term 7 5 years. president chirac held referendum on issue, , yes side won. did not run new parliamentary term in 2002. son louis giscard d estaing elected in constituency.

the elder former president: 2004–present

vge in 2014

in 2003, valéry giscard d estaing admitted académie française.

following narrow defeat in regional elections of march 2004, marked victory of left wing in 21 of 22 regions, decided leave partisan politics , take seat on constitutional council former president of republic. of actions there, such campaign in favour of treaty establishing european constitution, criticized unbecoming member of council, should embody nonpartisanship , should not appear favour 1 political option on other. indeed, question of membership of former presidents in council raised @ point, suggesting should replaced life membership in senate.

since then, giscard has expressed opinions current affairs. on 19 april 2007, endorsed nicolas sarkozy presidential election. has supported creation of centrist union of democrats , independents in 2012 , introduction of same-sex marriage in france in 2013. in 2016, supported former prime minister françois fillon in republicans presidential primaries

a 2014 poll suggested 64% of french thought had been president. considered honest , competent politician, distant man.

on 21 january 2017, lifespan of 33,226 days, surpassed Émile loubet in terms of longevity, , oldest former president in french history.