Former French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing succumbs to Coronavirus

Former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing dies on Wednesday due to Coronavirus complications aged 94.

French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, who served as France’s leader from 1974 to 1981, succumbs to COVID-19 complications.

He was a centre-right politician who liberalised laws on divorce, abortion and contraception during his seven years at the Élysée.

Giscard, the modern-minded conservative became president vowing to transform his tradition-bound, politically polarized country, only to be driven out of office seven years later.

However, he decriminalized abortion in 1975 and created a minister for women’s issues.

However, current President of France, Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Giscard, saying he was a “servant of the state, a politician of progress and freedom”.

“His death has plunged the French nation into mourning,” Macron added.

Valéry Giscard had recently admitted to hospital with respiratory problems.

According to the details, he died at his family home nearby after suffering from complications linked to the virus.

“His state of health had worsened and he died as a consequence of Covid-19,” his family said in a statement.

The Foundation Valéry Giscard d’Estaing tweeted on Wednesday: “In accordance with his wishes, his funeral will take place in the strictest family intimacy.”

Moreover, in 2020, he was accused of sexual harassment in a legal complaint by a German journalist.

Ann-Kathrin Stracke claimed he repeatedly touched her bottom during an interview at his office at the end of 2018. She had lodged a complaint on 10 March with the Paris public prosecutor’s office.