Charles Pasqua

Charles Pasqua

Charles Pasqua
Born	(1927-04-18)April 18, 1927 Grasse, France
Died	June 29, 2015(2015-06-29) (aged 88) Suresnes, France
Nationality	French
Occupation	Politician
Political party	RPR

Charles Pasqua (April 18, 1927 – June 29, 2015) was a French politician and member of the RPR party. He was known for his strong stance on law and order issues and his role in French politics for several decades.

Early Life and Career

Pasqua was born on April 18, 1927, in Grasse, France. He began his political career in the 1950s, joining the UNR, a Gaullist party. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a close ally of Jacques Chirac, who would later become the President of France.

In 1976, Pasqua founded the Rally for the Republic (RPR) party, which aimed to bring together various right-wing factions. He served as the party's president until 1999. During his time as a politician, Pasqua held several ministerial positions, including Minister of the Interior and Minister of Defense.

Political Career

Pasqua was known for his tough stance on crime and immigration. He advocated for stricter immigration policies and tougher measures against criminals. He was instrumental in the creation of the Schengen Agreement, which aimed to establish a common visa policy and strengthen border controls within the European Union.

During his tenure as Minister of the Interior, Pasqua implemented various measures to combat organized crime and terrorism. He also played a key role in the negotiation and signing of the Maastricht Treaty, which laid the foundation for the creation of the European Union.

Controversies

Despite his long and influential political career, Pasqua was not without controversy. He was implicated in several corruption scandals, including the infamous "Angolagate" affair, which involved illegal arms sales to Angola. Pasqua was accused of receiving kickbacks from the arms deals, but he consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In 2003, Pasqua was convicted of corruption and sentenced to one year in prison. However, due to his age and health issues, he was granted a suspended sentence. Despite the conviction, Pasqua remained a prominent figure in French politics until his death in 2015.

Legacy

Charles Pasqua left a lasting impact on French politics. His tough stance on law and order issues and his role in shaping immigration policies continue to influence political debates in France. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Pasqua was respected by many for his strong leadership and dedication to public service.