🔴 Former French prime minister Édouard Balladur dies at 97

Former French prime minister Édouard Balladur died in Paris on Monday at the age of 97, his family told AFP. Balladur, who was born in Turkey, served as President François Mitterrand's last prime minister from March 1993 to May 1995, carrying out several major privatisations of state companies, and unsuccessfully ran for the top job in 1995. After a fierce campaign, he lost to his former political ally-turned-rival, Jacques Chirac, who would remain president until 2007. His family told AFP that a private Mass will be held for Balladur, without giving further details. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)