Balladur, Edouard

(1929- )

   political figure

   Born in Smyrna (Izmir), Turkey, Edouard Balladur served as an envoy (1964), then as a technical adviser to georges Pompidou (1966-68) and, after the latter's election as head of state, became adjunct secretary-general (1969), then secretary-general to the presidency of the republic (1973-74). During the first cohabitation between the government of Jacques Chirac and President François Mitterrand, Edouard Balladur was minister of the economy, finances, and privatization (1968-88) and, as a supporter of a liberal economy, led in the privatization of several large public enterprises. After the massive victory of the Union pour la France (UPF) (Rassemblement pour la République [RPR] and Union pour la democratie française [UDF]) in the legislative elections of March 1993, he became prime minister, while a new period of cohabitation began (1993-95). Edouard Balladur followed a policy of restraint but found himself confronted with an economic depression and unemployment. He was a candidate in the presidential election of 1995.