A Radical Socialist who defended the Republic
“Long live the Republic all the same!”
Vincent Badie was a French Radical Socialist lawyer and politician who worked in local government and parliament, defending veterans and republican institutions. In July 1940 he accepted that constitutional revision might be considered, but rejected transferring power to Pétain in a way that would abolish the Republic; he tried to present a motion signed by 27 parliamentarians and then voted against the grant of full powers. After Vichy suspended him as mayor, he joined the Resistance, was arrested, and deported to Dachau. After the war he returned to parliament and twice served as minister for veterans, while also defending French colonial rule and overseas presence.
Career Timeline
- 1923Lawyer at the Montpellier bar
- 1931–1938General councillor for Montpellier and Gignac, Hérault
- 1936–1942Deputy for Hérault
- 1938–1941, 1944–1971Mayor of Paulhan
- 1945Member of the Provisional Consultative Assembly
- 1946–1958Deputy in the Fourth Republic's National Assembly
- 1955–1956, 1958Minister for Veterans and War Victims
- 1957–1958Chair of the Radical Socialist parliamentary group