Mayor of Lille who led Mitterrand's first, reforming left-wing government as prime minister
Born in Cartignies in the Nord in 1928, the son of a teacher, he joined the youth organisation of the SFIO at eighteen and, working as a technical teacher, led a teachers' union. He became deputy general secretary of the SFIO in 1966 and, backing Mitterrand at the 1971 Épinay Congress, became the second figure of the new Socialist Party. He was mayor of Lille from 1973 to 2001. As prime minister from 1981 to 1984 he led a government with four Communist ministers that introduced the 39-hour week, retirement at sixty and nationalisations, before turning to austerity from 1982. He later served as first secretary of the Socialist Party and president of the Socialist International.
Activities and affiliations
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1946–1969
French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO)
Political and party leadership -
1973–2001
France state institutionsPrime Minister, Mayor of LilleHeads of state and government of FranceMain
Government and administration -
1973–2011
Legislature and state representation
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1979–1980
Legislature and state representation
Career Timeline
- 1966–1969Deputy General Secretary of the SFIO
- 1973–1981Deputy for the Nord
- 1973–2001Mayor of Lille
- 1981.05.21–1984.07.17Prime Minister
- 1988–1992First Secretary of the Socialist Party
- 1992–1999President of the Socialist International
- 1992–2011Senator for the Nord