Jacques Toubon
| Jacques Toubon | |
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Jacques Toubon (born 29 June 1941 in Nice, France) is a right-wing French politician who held several major national and Parisian offices.
Political career
Governmental functions
Minister of Culture : 1993–1995.[1]
Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice : 1995–1997.
Electoral mandates
European Parliament
Member of European Parliament : 2004–2009. Elected in 2004.
National Assembly of France
Member of the National Assembly of France for Paris : 1981–1993 (Became minister in 1993). Elected in 1981, reelected in 1986, 1988, 1993.
Municipal Council
Deputy-mayor of Paris : 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
Councillor of Paris : 1983–2008. Reelected in 1989, 1995, 2001.
Mayor of the 13th arrondissement of Paris : 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
Councillor of the 13th arrondissement of Paris : 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
Controversial actions
Jacques Toubon is known for the controversial so-called Toubon Law, enforcing the use of the French language in official French government publications, and advertisements published in France. Since the law can largely be described as being hostile to English, Jacques Toubon is sometimes referred to, jokingly, as "Mr Allgood" ("All Good" being a translation of "Tout bon").
Jacques Toubon is also remembered for the "helicopter affair". In 1996, an initial criminal enquiry had been opened by Laurent Davenas, then head prosecutor of Évry for alleged misuse of government funds, in which Xavière Tiberi, wife of then mayor of Paris Jean Tiberi (from Toubon's party) was involved. (See corruption scandals in the Paris region). However, this was not a full criminal investigation and no investigative magistrate had been named. Davenas then went on vacation in the Himalaya. His deputy then announced his decision to open a full investigation. The Rally for the Republic leaders got frightened of the possible implications of such an investigation, and Jacques Toubon, then minister of justice, famously hired an helicopter to fetch the mountaineering prosecutor and convince him to rein his deputy in (Davenas refused).
Jacques Toubon has been the topic of much lampooning. In addition to "Mr Allgood", Les Guignols de l'info have referred to him as "M. Bouffon" ("Mr Buffoon").
References
- ↑ Ball, Rodney (1997). The French-speaking world: a practical introduction to sociolinguistic issues. Psychology Press. pp. 209–. ISBN 978-0-415-12986-2. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
External links
- Former official page as Minister of Justice
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| Preceded by Pierre Méhaignerie |
Minister of Justice 1995–1997 |
Succeeded by Élisabeth Guigou |
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