François Fillon

French lawyer and politician, former Prime Minister of France

François Charles Amand Fillon is a French lawyer and politician who served as Prime Minister of France since May 17, 2007 to May 16, 2012.

Education
1972 - Bachelor of Philosophy;
1976 - M.A. in Public Law, Université du Mans;
1977 - DEA in Public Law, University of Paris V: René Descartes.

Work Experience
1976 — Assistant Deputy, Sarthe Department;
1978 — Deputy Chief of Staff, Ministry of Transport;
1980 — Deputy Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defence;
1981-1992 — Vice President of the General Council of Sarthe Department;
1982 — Chief of service of legislative and parliamentary work, Office of the Minister of Industry;
1982, 1986, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2002 — Deputy of the National Assembly;
1983-2001 — Mayor of the Commune of Sablé-sur-Sarthe;
1986-1988 — Chairman, Defence Commission, National Assembly;
1992-1998 — Chairman, General Council, Sarthe Department;
1993-1995 — Minister of Higher Education and Research;
1995-1997 — Minister of Information Technology and Mail, Delegate Minister of Post, Telecommunications and Space;
1997-1999 — Secretary of the party Association in support of Republic for the Affairs of trade unions; 
1997-1999 — Official Representative of the Executive Commission of the party Association in support of Republic;
1998-2002 — President of the Regional Council of the Loire;
1999-2001 — Counselor of political party Union in support of the Republic;
2002-2004 — Vice-President of the regional Council of the Loire;
2002-2004 — Minister of Social Affairs, Labour and Solidarity;
2004-2005 — Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research;
2004, 2005 — Senator from the Department of Sarthe;
2005-2007 — Political Advisor to Nicolas Sarkozy;
2007 — Head of election campaign of Nicolas Sarkozy;
2007-2012— Prime Minister of France;

Awards
Grand Cross of the Ordre national du Mérite (21 November 2007 – Automatic six months after taking office);
Order of the Paulownia Flowers;
Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon, awarded on 9 May 2013.