Gaston Defferre
Gaston Defferre (14 September 1910 – 7 May 1986) was a French Socialist politician. He served as mayor of Marseille for 33 years until his death in 1986. He was minister for overseas territories in Guy Mollet’s socialist government in 1956–1957. His main achievement was to establish the framework used to grant independence to France’s African territories. In 1967, he fought the last duel in French history. As the Socialist candidate for president in 1969, he received only 5 percent of the vote. He was much more successful in promoting François Mitterrand as leader of the Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste; PS) in 1971. He held a series of ministerial portfolios after the Socialist victory in 1981, especially as minister of state for the interior and decentralization.
Gaston Defferre | |
|---|---|
Defferre in 1981 | |
| Mayor of Marseille | |
| In office 9 May 1953 – 7 May 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Michel Carlini |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Victor Cordonnier |
| Minister of the Interior | |
| In office 22 May 1981 – 19 July 1984 | |
| Prime Minister | Pierre Mauroy Laurent Fabius |
| Preceded by | Christian Bonnet |
| Succeeded by | Pierre Joxe |
| Minister of the Overseas | |
| In office 1 February 1956 – 13 June 1957 | |
| Prime Minister | Guy Mollet |
| Preceded by | Pierre-Henri Teitgen |
| Succeeded by | Gérard Jaquet |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 September 1910 Marsillargues, France |
| Died | 7 May 1986 (aged 75) Marseille, France |
| Political party | French Section of the Workers' International (1933–1969) Socialist Party (1969–1986) |
| Spouses |
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