Bernard Pons was a French politician and medical doctor who was a member of the Union of Democrats for the Republic from 1971 to 1976 and a member of the Rally for the Republic

Rally for the Republic

The Rally for the Republic , was a French right-wing political party. Originating from the Union of Democrats for the Republic , it was founded by Jacques Chirac in 1976 and presented itself as the heir of Gaullism...

 party thereafter. He has served as Secretary General of Rally for the Republic, Minister for Transport and continued as a special advisor to the Union for a Popular Movement

Union for a Popular Movement

The Union for a Popular Movement is a centre-right political party in France, and one of the two major contemporary political parties in the country along with the center-left Socialist Party...

 until 2008 after his retirement from active politics in 2002.

Early life

Born 'Claude Bernard Pons' on 18 July 1926 in Beziers, Pons qualified as a doctor and worked as a General practitioner

General practitioner

A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...

.

Political career

Pons was elected to the lower house of the French parliament

Parliament of France

The French Parliament is the bicameral legislature of the French Republic, consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly . Each assembly conducts legislative sessions at a separate location in Paris: the Palais du Luxembourg for the Senate, the Palais Bourbon for the National Assembly.Each...

 in 1967 and served as a member of this house until 2002. He served in the Ministry of Agriculture from 22 June 1969 to 28 March 1973. In the government of Jacques Chirac

Jacques Chirac

Jacques René Chirac is a French politician who served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He previously served as Prime Minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988 , and as Mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995.After completing his studies of the DEA's degree at the...

, he served as Minister for Overseas Territory and travelled to Noumea

Nouméa

Nouméa is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian , Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians,...

 to solve the Ouvéa cave hostage taking

Ouvéa cave hostage taking

The Ouvéa cave hostage taking was an event occurring from April 22, 1988 to May 5, 1988 in which members of the separatist group the National Union for Independence-Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front took 27 including a French gendarme and a judge hostage in the island of Ouvéa, New...

 situation. In the government of Alain Juppé

Alain Juppé

Alain Marie Juppé is a French politician currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister of France from 1995 to 1997 under President Jacques Chirac and the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs from 2010 to 2011...

, he served as Minister of Transport.

Pons played a role in helping the Cahors

Cahors

Cahors is the capital of the Lot department in south-western France.Its site is dramatic being contained on three sides within an udder shaped twist in the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or peninsula...

 wine region to regain its reputation. He successfully lobbied for Appellation d'origine contrôlée

Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...

 for the region. This brought significant money to the region.

Governmental functions

Secretary of State for Agriculture : 1969–1973

Minister of Overseas Departments and Territories : 1986–1988.

Minister of Planning, Infrastructure and Transport : May–November 1995.

Minister of Equipment, Housing, Transport and Tourism : 1995–1997.

Electoral mandates

European Parliament

Member of European parliament

European Parliament

The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...

 : 1984–1985 (Resignation). Elected in 1984.

National Assembly of France

President of the Rally for the Republic

Rally for the Republic

The Rally for the Republic , was a French right-wing political party. Originating from the Union of Democrats for the Republic , it was founded by Jacques Chirac in 1976 and presented itself as the heir of Gaullism...

 Group in the National Assembly : 1988–1995 (Became minister in 1995). Elected in 1988, reelected in 1993.

Member of the National Assembly of France for Lot (department) : 1967–1969 (Became secretary of State in 1969) / 1973–1978. Elected in 1967, reelected in 1968, 1973.

Member of the National Assembly of France for Essonne

Essonne

Essonne is a French department in the region of Île-de-France. It is named after the Essonne River.It was formed on 1 January 1968 when Seine-et-Oise was split into smaller departments.- History :...

 : 1978–1981. Elected in 1978.

Member of the National Assembly of France for Paris : 1981–1986 (Became minister in 1986) / 1988–1993 (Became minister in 1995) / 1997–2002. Elected in 1981, reelected in 1986, 1988, 1993, 1997.

General Council

General councillor of Lot (department) : 1967–1979. Reelected in 1973.

Municipal Council

Municipal councillor of Paris : 1983–2008. Reelected in 1989, 1995, 2001.