Paris - Former French president Jacques Chirac is to be tried on 21 counts of abuse of public funds dating from 1983 to 1995, when he was mayor of Paris, French media reported Friday.

The investigation involved 35 people who were paid for jobs at the Paris City Hall that they did not carry out. Instead, their salaries were allegedly used to fill the coffers of Chirac's former party, the Rally for the Republic (RPR).

According to investigators, a total of 43 fictitious jobs, worth some 4.5 million euros (6.68 million dollars), were created at the Paris City Hall under Chirac and his successor, Jean Tiberi.

The 76-year-old Chirac, who was president from 1995 to 2007, therefore becomes the first former French head of state to be put on trial.

In deciding that Chirac be tried on the charges, investigating magistrate Xaviere Simeoni ignored the recommendation of the Paris public prosecutor, who had argued that the case against him be dismissed. (dpa)