Gaston Defferre
Gaston Defferre | |
|---|---|
Defferre in 1964 | |
| Mayor of Marseille | |
| In office 9 May 1953 – 7 May 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Michel Carlini |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Victor Cordonnier |
| Minister of the Interior and Decentralization | |
| In office 22 May 1981 – 19 July 1984 | |
| President | François Mitterrand |
| Preceded by | Christian Bonnet |
| Succeeded by | Pierre Joxe |
| Minister for Town and Country Planning | |
| In office 17 July 1984 – 20 March 1986 | |
| Minister of the Overseas | |
| In office 1 February 1956 – 13 June 1957 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 14, 1910 Marsillargues, France |
| Died | May 7, 1986 (aged 75) Marseille, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Political party | Socialist Party |
| Spouse(s) |
Andrée Aboulker
(m. 1935–1945)Marie-Antoinette Swaters
(m. 1946–1973)Edmonde Charles-Roux
(m. 1973–1986) |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer |
Gaston Defferre (14 September 1910 – 7 May 1986) was a French Socialist politician who served as the mayor of Marseille for 33 years, from 1953 until his death in 1986. He also held various ministerial positions throughout his political career, including Minister of the Interior and Decentralization, and was a key figure in the French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO), later the Socialist Party.[1]
Early life and career
Born in Marsillargues, Defferre became a lawyer and entered politics as a member of the French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO). He was active in the French Resistance during World War II as part of the Brutus Network. He was first elected to the National Assembly in 1945 and remained an influential political figure for decades.[2]
Ministerial roles
Defferre served as Minister of Overseas Territories in the mid-1950s, playing a significant role in France's decolonization of Africa. His legislative effort, the Loi-cadre Defferre, laid the groundwork for the independence of many French colonies in sub-Saharan Africa.[3]
In 1981, following the election of François Mitterrand, Defferre was appointed Minister of the Interior and Decentralization, where he pushed for greater local governance reforms.[4]
Duel with René Ribière
In 1967, Defferre became notorious for engaging in the last known duel in French history. Following a heated argument in the National Assembly, Defferre insulted René Ribière, who challenged him to a sword duel. Defferre won the duel, but Ribière was only lightly wounded.[5][6]
Personal life
Defferre was married three times, most notably to writer Edmonde Charles-Roux. He died on 7 May 1986 in Marseille at the age of 75.[7]
References
- ↑ "Patriarch of Marseilles, Gaston Defferre, Dies". Washington Post. 2023-12-29. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/08/obituaries/gaston-defferre-of-marseilles-socialist-and-a-tough-mayor.html
- ↑ Fiorillo, Chiara (2019-05-03). "Politicians fought after one shouted 'Shut up, stupid!' at the other". Mail Online. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ↑ Fiorillo, Chiara (2019-05-03). "Politicians fought after one shouted 'Shut up, stupid!' at the other". Mail Online. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ↑ https://www.historia.fr/histoire-de-france/xxeme-siecle-a-aujourdhui/21-avril-1967-gaston-deferre-contre-rene-ribiere-le-dernier-duel-en-france-2095876
- ↑ "Non au Harcèlement : le collège Gaston Defferre sonne la mobilisation générale". Académie d'Aix-Marseille (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ↑ "1995 : le petit coup de pression de Bernard Tapie sur Jean-Claude Gaudin à propos du FN | INA". ina.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-19.