President James Alix Michel of Seychelles
René staged a coup against the country's first President, James Mancham, only one year after independence, and Michel was appointed as Minister of Public Administration and Information in June 1977.
During the rule of President René, Michel was the head of the Seychellois economy on several occasions.
At that point, Michel was René's longest-serving cabinet minister.
Just after James Michel was re-elected President in July 2006, the Seychelles National Assembly had to approve the appointment of three new Ambassadors, Noellie Alexander, Philippe Le Gall and Graziano Triboldi, whose postings have since been determined.
These last few months, President James Michel has used Qatar Airways for the majority of his foreign travel.
President James Michel has suspended the indictments for illegal gathering brought against three executives of the Seychelles National Party (SNP, opposition) including its leader Wavel Ramkalawan following the violent incidents on 3 October (ION 1197.
Michel said it was a "political will" of the Seychellois government to strengthen friendly cooperation with the Chinese government.
Promising to firmly stick to the one-China policy, Michel said Seychelles hoped to bring collaboration to a higher level and wished China realize its reunification cause as early as possible.
After the summit, Michel is to visit Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, and Haikou, capital of the southernmost island province of Hainan.
Seychelles Politics | SocietyJames Michel takes over presidency in SeychellesNew President James Alix Michel: «I will introduce more openness of dialogue.
Mr Michel is described as "a man of great virtues," but it is questioned whether he can win the 2006 elections.
While Mr Michel has thoroughly followed the footsteps of President René during the last decades, the Seychellois nevertheless expect him to speed up the democratisation process.
The Vice-Presidents Office was first created in 1996, following an amendment to the Constitution, and Mr James Michel was immediately afterwards appointed to the post.
James Alix Michel was born on August 18th 1944, in Fraserwood - Manitoba Canada.
President Michel has responsibilities for a number of portfolios and special projects.
Alix Michel said that he had been here many times.
President Michel is holding out for an oil strike under the Seychelles’ offshore plateau.
Seychelles President James Alix Michel said on Sunday that he appreciated the marvelous opening of the Beijing Olympic Games held Friday, saying that it was a complete success.
Michel said he was very pleased to have the opportunity to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao during his short stay in Beijing.
As a former Minister for Finance and now the President, Mr Michel has been introducing a series of economic reforms to attract investment and boost the private sector’s role in the development of Seychelles.
From 1974 to 1977, Mr Michel was a member of the Executive Committee of the Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP), the predecessor of the ruling Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF.
President Michel is the Patron of the Foundation of the University of Seychelles and Patron of the Seychelles Football Federation.
It appears that President James Michel has now adopted a new style of making government policy.
People who voted for the SPPF in particular, complained that President James Michel is not fulfilling his election promises as acute shortages of essential goods persist unabated in the shops.
The Seychellois public was stunned last week to learn from the Independent newspaper that there are actually two rumours currently making the rounds: one - that President Michel is having an extra marital affair; two - that President Michel’s son has been arrested in Singapore on drug related offences.
Since the Presidential election in July, President James Michel has made international politics a priority of his Government.
James Alix Michel Takes Over: On 14 April 2004 James Alix Michel was appointed by France-Albert Ren as his successor.
James Alix Michel is in Beijing for a state visit to China and the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is scheduled for Nov 4-5.
After the summit, Michel is to visit Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan province, and Haikou, capital city of China's southernmost Hainan province.
Michel said Seychelles has enjoyed traditional friendship with China and their governments, parliaments and parties have maintained close contacts.