Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and His Relationship with the Army in France

Abstract

One of the aspects of the activities of France’ President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing is considered — his relationship with the army in a comparative historical context, namely: the context of the relationship between civilian power and the military. The French specificity of these relations, which developed with the coming to power of General Charles de Gaulle in 1958, is shown. The peculiarities of the formed mechanism of military decision-making in France, which resulted from the concentration of powers and legitimacy by the President — Commander-in-chief of the armed forces, are highlighted. The analysis of the reasons for the urgent issues in the army by the beginning of the presidential term of V. Giscard d'Estaing is carried out; the President's measures to strengthen this key republican institution were assessed. Attention is paid to the attempts of V. Giscard d'Estaing to adapt the French policy of nuclear deterrence to the evolution of the geopolitical situation during his time in power, which did not always meet with support in the military environment and in civil society. Two episodes (in Chad and Zaire) were singled out as examples of France's external military operations (OPEX) on the African continent under V. Giscard d'Estaing, where his role as Commander-in-chief was most clearly manifested. The underestimated role of V. Giscard d'Estaing as head of State was noted, including in strengthening the country's defence potential and in creating conditions for the further advancement of military development.