Former French Prime Minister Édouard Balladur Dies at 97

Édouard Balladur, who served as Prime Minister of France from 1995 to 1997, has died at the age of 97. His political career was marked by significant events, including France's complex role during the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the "Karachi affair" corruption scandal.

Balladur, a prominent figure in the center-right political landscape, also ran for president in 1995, narrowly losing to Jacques Chirac in the second round of voting. His premiership navigated a period of economic challenges and international scrutiny, leaving a notable imprint on French domestic and foreign policy.