Jean-Claude Gaudin

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Jean-Claude Gaudin was born October 8, 1939 in Mazargues, in southern Marseille. He is a French politican and was a member of the French National Assembly. He is currently mayor of Marseille, a position he has held since 1995.

[edit] Early life and National Assembly

In 1965, he served a brief time in military service. After graduating university he became a professor of history and geography for 15 years at Saint-Joseph college in Marseille. He was elected on the list socialo-centrist “Removes iron-Rastoin” against the list Gaulliste UNR. He became one of the youngest members of the town council and was relected again in 1971. In 1973 he took part in the presidential campaign of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

In 1978 he won his first election for the French National Assembly as the candidate in the 2nd district of the Rhône delta. He beat the outgoing socialist deputy, Charles-Emile Loo, with 53.7% of the votes cast. In June 1981 he wins relection. He then became president of the UDF group to the French National Assembly.

In 1986 he is given the responsibility for the executive of Provence the Alps Rivieras. On April 25, 1986, he became president of the first regional council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur elected by direct vote. In 1988, after the dissolution of the French National Assembly, he was again re-elected, for the 4th time, deputy of the Rhone delta for 2nd district of Marseilles, with 60.63% of the votes cast. His presidency of the UDF Group to the French National Assembly was also renewed.

[edit] Senate

In September 1989, he was a candidate for the senatorial elections and won the district. In 1992, the renewal of the regional council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur caused the médiatisée election of France: Jean-Claude Gaudin then had to face the growing power of Jean-Marie Le Pen. At the end of a violent and difficult campaign, enamelled many “blow-low”, Jean-Claude Gaudin carried the vote again, beating Bernard Tapie and Jean-Marie Le Pen. He was also re-elected president of the regional council on March 27, 1992.

[edit] Mayor of Marseille

In 1995, Jean-Claude Gaudin stood for the post of mayor of Marseilles along with maintaining his position as a senator. He won with an absolute majority of 55 City council men out of 101 and was installed as Mayor of Marseilles on June 25, 1995. On November 7, 1995, on a proposal from then Alain Juppé, the Prime Minister, the President of the Republic Jacques Chirac named Jean-Claude Gaudin, Minister for Integration and City and Regional planning. On July 14, 1997, he was made Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.

On October 6, 1998, he became Vice-Président of the Senate. He was re-elected Mayor of Marseilles again on March 25, 2001 and president of the Urban Community Marseilles Provence Métropole on April 11. On October 3, 2001, Jean-Claude Gaudin was relected as Vice president of the Senate for a second time. In 2004 he was relected for a third time as Vice President of the senate.