Former French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur has died in Paris at the age of 97, his family confirmed to AFP on Monday.
Balladur, who was born in Turkey, served as Prime Minister under President François Mitterrand from March 1993 to May 1995.
During his tenure, he oversaw several major privatisations of state-owned companies and pursued economic reforms before entering the 1995 presidential race.
His bid for the presidency, however, ended in defeat after a bitter campaign against his former political ally, Jacques Chirac. Chirac went on to serve as president until 2007.
Tributes poured in following Balladur’s death, with President Emmanuel Macron describing him as a man who “had France at heart” and a “devoted servant of the nation.”
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy also paid tribute to Balladur, describing him as “an example, a mentor and a friend.”
“Tonight, I mourn the loss of one of the men who mattered most in my life,” Sarkozy wrote on X.
Balladur remained an influential figure in France’s conservative political establishment long after leaving office.
His family said a private mass would be held in his honour, but did not provide further details about the funeral arrangements.
