Jacques Toubon
Encyclopedia
Jacques Toubon is a right-wing French politician who held several major national and Parisian offices.
Minister of Culture : 1993–1995.
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.
, 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 an helicopter to fetch the mountaineering prosecutor and convince him to rein his deputy in (Davenas refused). http://www.denistouret.net/constit/Laurent_Davenas.html
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").
Political career
Governmental functionsMinister of Culture : 1993–1995.
Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice : 1995–1997.
Electoral mandates
European Parliament
Member of European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
: 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 LawToubon Law
The Toubon Law , is a law of the French government mandating the use of the French language in official government publications, in all advertisements, in all workplaces, in commercial contracts, in some other commercial communication contexts, in all government-financed schools, and some other...
, 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
Xavière Tiberi
Xavière Tiberi is the spouse of former mayor of Paris Jean Tiberi. She is mostly known for being involved in corruption scandals in the Paris region....
, wife of then mayor of Paris Jean Tiberi
Jean Tiberi
Jean Tiberi is a French politician who was mayor of Paris from May 22, 1995 to March 24, 2001. , he is mayor of the 5th arrondissement of Paris and deputy to the French National Assembly from the second district of Paris....
(from Toubon's party) was involved. (See corruption scandals in the Paris region
Corruption scandals in the Paris region
In the 1980s and 1990s there were, in the Paris region , multiple instances of alleged and proved political corruption cases, as well as cases of abuse of public money and resources...
). 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
Rally for the Republic
The Rally for the Republic , was a French right-wing political party. Originating from the Union of Democrats for the Republic , it was founded by Jacques Chirac in 1976 and presented itself as the heir of Gaullism...
leaders got frightened of the possible implications of such an investigation, and Jacques Toubon, then minister of justice, famously hired an helicopter to fetch the mountaineering prosecutor and convince him to rein his deputy in (Davenas refused). http://www.denistouret.net/constit/Laurent_Davenas.html
Jacques Toubon has been the topic of much lampooning. In addition to "Mr Allgood", Les Guignols de l'info
Les Guignols de l'info
Les Guignols de l'info is a satirical latex puppet show broadcast on Canal+, a French subscription-based television channel. Hosted by a puppet facsimile of TF1 news anchor Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, Les Guignols is similar to the 1984–1996 British show Spitting Image...
have referred to him as "M. Bouffon" ("Mr Buffoon").
External links
- Former official page as Minister of Justice