Christian Poncelet (; 24 March 192811 September 2020) was a conservative French politician. A member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP),CV at Senate website . he was President of the Senate from 1998 to 2008. In addition to being a Senator, he was Mayor of Remiremont (Vosges) and was also the President of the General Council of Vosges.
Political career He was elected to the National Assembly in the November 1962 parliamentary election from the Third Constituency of VosgesPage for Poncelet as a member of the Second Legislature, National Assembly website . and was re-elected from the same constituency in the March 1967 parliamentary electionPage for Poncelet as a member of the Third Legislature, National Assembly website . and the June 1968 parliamentary election. He served as a deputy until August 1972, when he vacated his seat following his nomination as a member of the government.Page for Poncelet as a member of the Fourth Legislature, National Assembly website . He was first elected to the Senate in September 1977, and he was re-elected in September 1986, September 1995, and September 2004, representing Vosges.
On 2 October 1998, Poncelet was elected by the Senate as its President in a third round of voting. The previous President of the Senate, René Monory, had withdrawn after the first round of voting. In the third round, Poncelet received 189 votes against 93 for Socialist candidate Claude Estier and one vote for the withdrawn Communist candidate Hélène Luc."Gaullist elected as speaker of French upper house", France 2 TV teletext (nl.newsbank.com), 2 October 1998.
In 2000, Poncelet was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
Following the September 2008 Senate election, it was announced on 24 September that Poncelet would not seek another term as President of the Senate, although he would continue to serve as a Senator."Christian Poncelet ne souhaite pas briguer un nouveau mandat de Président du Sénat", Senate website, 24 September 2008 . He was succeeded by Gérard Larcher, also from the UMP, on 1 October."Séance du 1er octobre 2008 (compte rendu intégral des débats)", Senate website .
Personal life Poncelet was born in Blaise (now part of Vouziers) in the Ardennes.
Poncelet died in Remiremont, on 11 September 2020, at the age of 92.Christian Poncelet, ancien président du Sénat et maire de Remiremont est mort à 92 ans
Political career
Governmental functions
Secretary of State for Social Affairs: 1972–1973 Secretary of State for Employment and Population : 1973–1974 Secretary of State for Public Service : March–May 1974 Secretary of State for Budget : May 1974 – 1977 Secretary of State for Parliamentary Relations : April–September 1977 (Became senator in 1977)
Electoral mandates
European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament : 1979–1980 (resignation). Elected in 1979.
National Assembly
Member of the National Assembly of France for Vosges : 1962–1972 (Became Secretary of State in 1972). Elected in 1962, re-elected in 1967, 1968, 1973, but he stayed Secretary of State.
Senate
President of the Senate of France : 1998–2008. Elected in 1998, re-elected in 2001, 2004. Président of the Finance Commission of the Senate : 1986–1998. Senator of Vosges : 1977-2014. Elected in 1977, re-elected in 1986, 1995, 2004.
Regional Council
Regional councillor of Lorraine : 1977–1992.
General Council
President of the General Council of Vosges : 1976-2015. Re-elected in 1979, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2011. General councillor of Vosges : 1964-2015. Re-elected in 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2001, 2008.
Municipal Council Mayor of Remiremont : 1983-2001. Re-elected in 1989, 1995. Deputy Mayor of Remiremont : 1971-1983. Re-elected in 1977. Municipal councillor of Remiremont : 1965–2001. Re-elected in 1971, 1977, 1983, 1989, 1995.
References