biography
pronunciation:
[rokah(r)]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1930– )
|
| biography:
| French statesman and prime minister (1988–91), born near Paris. He trained at the Ecole National d'Administration, and began his career in 1958 as an inspector of finances. In 1967 he became leader of the radical Unified Socialist Party, standing as its presidential candidate in 1969 and being elected to the National Assembly in the same year. He joined the Socialist Party in 1973, emerging as leader of its moderate Social Democratic wing, and unsuccessfully challenged François Mitterrand for the Party's presidential nomination in 1981. After serving as minister of planning and regional development (1981–3) and agriculture (1983–5), he resigned, but in 1988 was appointed prime minister by Mitterrand. His continuing moderateness brought an end to his premiership, and he was replaced by the left-winger, Edith Cresson. In 1994 he was elected to the European Parliament and became chairman of its Committee on Development and Co-operation. |
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