Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

Giscard d'Estaing, Valéry (1926– ), president of France 1974–81. A member of the national assembly from 1955, he was minister of finance under Presidents de Gaulle (1962–66) and Pompidou (1969–74). As president his austerity program failed to solve problems related to inflation, unemployment, and the balance of payments. He was defeated in his bid for reelection by Socialist candidate François Mitterand.

See also: France.