Born 3 February 1937 at Yssingeaux, France. Three children: Jean-Noël born in 1983, Hélène born in 1984 , Marie born in 1989.
Current responsibilities
- Vice-president of the European Commission in charge of Justice Freedom and Security since May 2008
Former responsibilities within the Commission
Ministerial responsibilities
- State Secretary for Housing, 1974-1978
- Minister for Trade and Craft Industries, 1978-1979
- Minister for Health and Social Security, 1979-1981
- Minister for Labour, the Social Dialogue and Participation, May to November 1995
- Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, from October 1995 to June 1997
Parliamentary offices held
- Member for Haute-Loire from 1967 to 2004 (representing the 1st district of Le Puy-Yssingeaux)
- Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Cultural, Family and Social Affairs from March 1986 to March 1988
- Chairman of the Finance Committee from April 1993 to June 1995
- Finance Committee special rapporteur on vocational training from June 1997 to May 2002
Local and regional government offices held
- Member of the Auvergne Regional Council from 1976 to 1986
- Mayor of Yssingeaux from March 1989 to March 2001
- Chairman of the Haute-Loire Departmental Council from 1976 to 2004
Political responsibilities
- General Secretary of the Centre des Démocrates Sociaux from 19683 to 1991
- Chairman of the Centre Union Group in the National Assembly from September 1991 to April 1993
- First Vice-Chairman of the UDF Group in the National Assembly from April 1993 to May 1995
- Chairman of the UMP (Union pour un Mouvement Populaire) Group in the National Assembly from 2002 to 2004
Other responsibilities
Academic qualifications
- Law degree
- Advanced diploma in sociology
- Diploma from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
Published works
- Les Pierres de l'Avenir (1978)
- Notre contrat pour l'alternance (together with M. Barnier, D. Perben and J.-P. Raffarin, 2001)
- L'Europe n'est pas ce que vous croyez (2007)
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