Born in Auvergne in 1883, Pierre Laval became a lawyer in Paris in 1907. Close for a time to the French extreme left, he was elected socialist deputy in 1914, and mayor of Aubervilliers in 1923. Re-elected independent socialist in 1924, Laval carried out a political shift to the right, with his participation in the government of Briand (centrist) and Tardieu (right).
He successively became President of the Council in 1931 then Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1934, before becoming President of the Council again in 1935. Dismissed from the government under the Popular Front, he defended the non-declaration of war on Germany.
Becoming Minister of State after the Armistice, he called for the vote of full powers to Marshal Pétain. In 1942, he pleaded for an active policy of relations with Nazi Germany:he notably created the Militia and the Compulsory Work Service (STO - transfer to Germany of French workers).
He was also one of the political leaders who set up the repressive system against the Jews and the French resistance fighters, at the request of Germany.
At the Liberation, Pierre Laval was sentenced to death for high treason on October 9, 1945 and was shot.
1883 - 1945
Status
Politician