Michel Rocard

Michel Rocard (August 23, 1930 – June 2, 2016) was a French politician who served as Prime Minister of France from 1988 to 1991. He was a member of the Socialist Party and held various ministerial positions in the governments of Pierre Mauroy and Laurent Fabius.

Early life and education

Michel Rocard was born on August 23, 1930, in Courbevoie, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He was the son of Yves Rocard, an engineer, and Denise Bastide, a writer. He studied at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris and then at the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA), where he graduated in 1954.

Political career

Rocard began his political career in 1956, when he joined the Socialist Party. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1967 and served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the government of Pierre Mauroy from 1981 to 1983. In 1984, he was appointed Minister of Finance in the government of Laurent Fabius.

In 1988, Rocard was elected Prime Minister of France. He served in this position until 1991, when he was defeated by Édith Cresson. During his time as Prime Minister, Rocard implemented a number of reforms, including the introduction of a minimum wage and the expansion of social welfare programs. He also played a key role in the negotiations that led to the Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union.

Later life

After leaving office, Rocard continued to be active in politics. He served as a member of the European Parliament from 1994 to 2009. He also wrote several books, including "L'Avenir de la gauche" (The Future of the Left) and "Pour une gauche plurielle" (For a Plural Left).

Rocard died on June 2, 2016, at the age of 85.

Legacy

Michel Rocard is remembered as a moderate and pragmatic Socialist. He was a strong supporter of European integration and social justice. He is also credited with helping to modernize the Socialist Party and making it more electable.