The PCF's number two for 37 years: a Stalinist who moved between parliament and the underground
'There was opportunism, legalitarianism and parliamentary illusions... If we courageously carry out this self-criticism before the Party, we shall arouse among the masses a state of mind favourable for the fight,' founding Cominform conference, Szklarska Poręba, September 1947
Number two in the French Communist Party leadership for 37 years alongside Maurice Thorez, entering parliament by defeating Léon Blum in Paris's 20th arrondissement. He directed the clandestine PCF throughout the German occupation and served as vice-president of the National Assembly after the war. At the founding Cominform conference in 1947, he publicly admitted that the party's participation in government had been 'parliamentary illusions,' symbolising the PCF's turn to militant opposition against the Marshall Plan. In 1969, he won 21.3% of the vote as the Communist presidential candidate, the party's best-ever result.
Career Timeline
- 1915–1917Fights at Verdun, wounded; captured at Chemin des Dames
- 1920–1926Founding PCF member; enters Central Committee and Chamber of Deputies
- 1928–1936Defeats Léon Blum; enters Political Bureau; Chamber vice-president
- 1940–1944Heads the clandestine PCF; directs the Communist Resistance
- 1945–1947Deputy and vice-president; PCF in tripartite government
- 1947–1953Cominform self-criticism; anti-Marshall Plan turn; acting secretary-general
- 1959–1975Senator, Communist group president; 21.3% in 1969 presidential election
- 1975Dies in Montreuil; buried at Père Lachaise
Related historical events
- 1934–1938The French Popular Front and the Strikes of 1936PCF leadership; vice-president of the ChamberWith Thorez he executed the line of support without participation, and served as vice-president of the Popular Front Chamber.
- 1947–1948The Marshall Plan and the Cold WarFrench communist delegateAttended the Szklarska Poręba conference as French delegate, gave the self-critical speech admitting the PCF's 'opportunism' and 'parliamentary illusions', and was a key figure in the party's turn to militant opposition against the Marshall Plan.