Jacques Toubon

Jacques Toubon (born 29 June 1941) is a right-wing French politician who held several major national and Parisian offices. He has been serving as Defender of Rights (Ombudsman) between 2014 and 2020.[1]

Jacques Toubon
Toubon in 2009
Defender of Rights
In office 17 July 2014 – 16 July 2020
President	François Hollande Emmanuel Macron
Preceded by	Dominique Baudis
Succeeded by	Claire Hédon
Minister of Culture
In office 1993–1995
President	François Mitterrand
Prime Minister	Édouard Balladur
Preceded by	Jack Lang
Succeeded by	Philippe Douste-Blazy
Minister of Justice
In office 1995–1997
President	Jacques Chirac
Prime Minister	Alain Juppé
Preceded by	Pierre Méhaignerie
Succeeded by	Élisabeth Guigou
Mayor of the 13th arrondissement of Paris
In office 1983–2001
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	Serge Blisko
Personal details
Born	29 June 1941 Nice, France
Nationality	French
Political party	RPR UMP
Alma mater	Sciences Po Lyon École nationale d'administration

Political career

Governmental functions

Minister of Culture : 1993–1995.[2]

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 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 were frightened by 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 in his deputy (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. https://www.theioi.org/ioi-news/current-news/jacques-toubon-has-been-elected-as-the-new-ombudman-of-the-ombudsman-institution-le-defenseur-des-droits
2. Ball, Rodney (1997). The French-speaking world: a practical introduction to sociolinguistic issues. Psychology Press. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-415-12986-2.

External links

• Former official page as Minister of Justice