Jacques Toubon

Jacques Toubon
French Ombudsman
Assumed office
17 July 2014
Preceded by Dominique Baudis
French Minister of Culture
In office
1993–1995
President François Mitterrand
Prime Minister Édouard Balladur
Preceded by Jack Lang
Succeeded by Philippe Douste-Blazy
French Minister of Justice
In office
1995–1997
President Jacques Chirac
Prime Minister Alain Juppé
Preceded by Pierre Méhaignerie
Succeeded by Élisabeth Guigou
Personal details
Born (1941-06-29) 29 June 1941
Nice, France
Nationality French
Alma mater Sciences Po Lyon, ÉNA

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 a 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

  1. 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.
Political offices
Preceded by
Jack Lang
Minister of Culture
1993–1995
Succeeded by
Philippe Douste-Blazy
Preceded by
Pierre Méhaignerie
Minister of Justice
1995–1997
Succeeded by
Élisabeth Guigou
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