Quick Facts
Biography
Christian Poncelet (born 24 March 1928) is a conservative French politician.A member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), he was President of the Senate from 1998 to 2008. In addition to being a Senator, he was Mayor of Remiremont (Vosges) and has been the President of the General Council of Vosges.
Biography
Poncelet was born in Blaise (now part of Vouziers) in the Ardennes. He was elected to the National Assembly in the November 1962 parliamentary election from the Third Constituency of Vosges and was re-elected from the same constituency in the March 1967 parliamentary election and the June 1968 parliamentary election. He served as a deputy until August 1972, when he left his seat following his nomination as a member of the government. 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 The previous President of the Senate, Rene Monory, had withdrawn after the first round of voting. In the third round, Poncelet received 189 votes against 93 for Socialist candidate Claude Estier and one vote for the withdrawn Communist candidate Hélène Luc.
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. He was succeeded by Gérard Larcher, also from the UMP, on 1 October.
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 Relations with Parliament : 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, reelected in 1967, 1968, 1973, but he stays Secretary of State.
Senate
President of the Senate of France : 1998-2008. Elected in 1998, reelected in 2001, 2004.
Président of the Finance Commission of the Senate : 1986-1998.
Senator of Vosges : Since 1977. Elected in 1977, reelected in 1986, 1995, 2004.
Regional Council
Regional councillor of Lorraine : 1977-1992. Elected in 1986.
General Council
President of the General Council of Vosges : Since 1976. Reelected in 1979, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2011.
General councillor of Vosges : Since 1964. Reelected in 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2001, 2008.
Municipal Council
Mayor of Remiremont : 1983-2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
Deputy-mayor of Remiremont : 1971-1983. Reelected in 1977.
Municipal councillor of Remiremont : 1965-2001. Reelected in 1971, 1977, 1983, 1989, 1995.
