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Pierre Mauroy

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Pierre Mauroy
Mauroy in 1982
Prime Minister of France
In office
21 May 1981 – 17 July 1984
PresidentFrançois Mitterrand
Preceded byRaymond Barre
Succeeded byLaurent Fabius
President of the Socialist International
In office
17 September 1992 – 10 November 1999
Preceded byWilly Brandt
Succeeded byAntónio Guterres
First Secretary of the Socialist Party
In office
14 May 1988 – 9 January 1992
Preceded byLionel Jospin
Succeeded byLaurent Fabius
Mayor of Lille
In office
8 January 1973 – 25 March 2001
Preceded byAugustin Laurent
Succeeded byMartine Aubry
Member of the French Senate
for Nord
In office
2 October 1992 – 30 September 2011
Personal details
Born(1928-07-05)5 July 1928
Cartignies, Nord, France
Died7 June 2013(2013-06-07) (aged 84)
Clamart, France
PartySocialist Party
OccupationTeacher

Pierre Mauroy (French: [pjɛʁ moʁwa]; 5 July 1928 – 7 June 2013) was a French politician who was Prime Minister of France from 1981 to 1984 under President François Mitterrand. Mauroy also served as Mayor of Lille from 1973 to 2001 and President of the Socialist International from 1992 to 1999. At the time of his death, Mauroy was the emeritus mayor of the city of Lille.

Biography

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Background

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Mauroy was born in Cartignies. The son of a schoolteacher, Mauroy became a technical education teacher in Colombes and in 1955 was elected general secretary of the Union of Technical Education Colleges within the National Education Federation.[1] He also led the Socialist Youth Movement and became a leading figure in the Socialist federation of Nord département, which was among the third biggest of the French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO) party and climbed quickly in the party. In 1966, he became the second most powerful person of the party behind the secretary general, Guy Mollet. Nevertheless, when Mollet resigned as leader in 1969, Alain Savary was chosen to succeed him.

Mauroy also led an important national association of youth clubs[2] and was a trades unionist.[3] From a working-class background,[4] Mauroy represented (according to one observer) "the old working-class bastions of the north."[5]

Political career

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After the electoral disasters of 1968 and 1969, he was persuaded of the necessity to renew the party. In 1971, during the Epinay Congress, he supported François Mitterrand's election to the party leadership and became the second most powerful person in the Socialist Party (PS). Two years later, he was elected as a deputy and Mayor of Lille.[6]

Increasingly, Mauroy criticized the replacement of former SFIO members from important positions by allies of Mitterrand. In this, he formed an alliance with Michel Rocard, the main opponent of Mitterrand, during the 1979 Metz Congress. However, Mitterrand chose him as spokesperson during the 1981 presidential campaign; after Mitterrand's election, he appointed Mauroy as Prime Minister.

Within the PS, Mauroy was associated with a group that, according to one study, “tended toward standard social democracy – friendly to Rocard’s economic liberalism, but committed to traditional socialist goals.”[7]

Prime minister

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Mauroy's government was a radical reforming one, implementing a wide range of social reforms including the reduction of the legal workweek from 40 to 39 hours,[8][9] the lowering of the retirement age to 60, and higher social welfare benefits.[10][11]

Mauroy in 1981

Various measures aimed at supporting farmers[12][13] and extending eligibility for early retirement were introduced[14] while Educational Priority Zones were set up to provide (as noted by one study) “additional resources to schools in depressed areas.”[15]

The availability of health insurance benefits was improved for the unemployed and for those working part-time,[16] 1 million households aged 60 and above not subject to income tax were exempted from both the T.V. license fee and property tax,[17] and local taxation was removed for 1.5 million old seniors.[18] New rights for immigrants were introduced,[19] and a special entry pathway for those who had held union or political office was set up as a means of increasing access to the ENA; an elite political academy. Capital punishment was also brought to an end, along with high security wings in prisons and a state security court.[20] Homebuilding was encouraged,[21] and the maximum duration of unemployment insurance was extended.[22]

The Deferre Law of 1982 introduced directly elected regional councils.[23] while the Quillot Law of 1982 improved the rights of tenants[24] and the Auroux Laws of 1982 introduced new rights in the workplace.[25] A 1982 transportation law stipulated (as noted by one study) “that the government needs to provide reasonably priced public transport for all citizens.”[26] Also in 1982, the law that governed the age of consent for homosexual activity was reduced from 18 to 15 (as noted by one study) “to match the age of consent for heterosexual activity.”[27] Another law passed in 1982 allowed for the spouses of shopkeepers and artisans (as noted by one study) “to acquire social or work-related entitlements as co-workers, employees or associates.”[28] In 1983 a new minimum contributory pension was introduced,[29] while unemployment compensation was expanded (as noted by one study) “to include workers who had resigned from their jobs.”[30] Also in 1983, the right to deduct child care costs was extended to all children under the age of three,[31] the Loi Roudy provided for equal gender opportunities at work,[32] and a project was introduced for funding economic and social measures in certain housing estates.[33] An Act of January 1984 extended rights to parental leave,[34] and a law of February 1984 encouraged vocational training.[35]

During its first year in office, the Mauroy Government pursued an expansionary economic strategy known as “reflation in one country” which included measures such as the creation of several new posts in the public sector and increases in numerous social benefits. The government’s strategy, however, led to rises in both inflation and the budget deficit,[36] and from 1982 onwards austerity measures were carried out such as the introduction of daily hospital bed charges and cuts to unemployment benefits, housing allowances, early retirement guarantees, and a number of medical reimbursements.[37] Despite this, many increases made to social protection stayed intact.[38] In addition, according to one study, the percentage of the population living in ‘absolute’ poverty continued to fall until 1984; a trend that had started back in 1979.[39]

Failing to restrict the financing of private schools via the Savary Law,[40] he resigned in 1984.

After Matignon

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Pierre Mauroy in 2007.

In 1988 he became First Secretary of the PS against the will of Mitterrand, who supported Laurent Fabius. The following year, Mauroy called for (as noted by one study) “an “ideological” party congress to reformulate Socialist ideas."[41] Until the end of his term, in 1992, he tried to appease the relations between the factions which composed the PS, notably during the very strained 1990 Rennes Congress. He allied with the rocardien group and Lionel Jospin's supporters, who came from the mitterrandist group.

President of the Socialist International from 1992 to 1999, Senator since 1992, he left the Lille mayoralty in 2001. He later supported the candidacy of Ségolène Royal during the 2007 presidential election and Martine Aubry during the 2011 socialist primary.[42]

From 1955 to 2013, Mauroy was a member of the governing bodies of the Northern Federation and the national bureau. In 1992, Mauroy established the Fondation Jean-Jaurès; a political organization that he would serve as the president of for the rest of his life.[43]

Mauroy died from complications of lung cancer on 7 June 2013 at the age of 84.[44]

Political career

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Governmental functions

Prime minister : 1981–1984.[45]

Electoral mandates

European Parliament

Member of European Parliament : 1979–1980 (Resignation).

National Assembly of France

Member of the National Assembly of France for Nord (French department) (2nd, then 1st constituency from 1988 to 1992) : 1973–1981 (Became Prime minister in 1981) / 1984–1992 (Elected senator in 1992). Elected in 1973, reelected in 1978, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1988.[45]

Senate of France

Senator of Nord (French department) : 1992–2011. Elected in 1992, reelected in 2001.[45][46]

Regional Council

President of the Regional Council of Nord-Pas-de-Calais : 1974–1981.

Regional councillor of Nord-Pas-de-Calais : 1974–1981 / 1986–1988 (Resignation).

General Council

Vice-president of the General Council of Nord (French department) : 1967–1973.

General councillor of Nord (French department) : 1967–1973.

Municipal Council

Mayor of Lille : 1973–2001. Reelected in 1977, 1983, 1989, 1995.

Deputy-mayor of Lille : 1971–1973.

Municipal councillor of Lille : 1971–2008. Reelected in 1977, 1983, 1989, 1995, 2001.

Urban community Council

President of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole : 1989–2008. Reelected in 1995, 2001.

Vice-president of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole : 1971–1989. Reelected in 1977, 1983.

Member of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole : 1971–2008. Reelected in 1977, 1983, 1989, 1995, 2001.

Political function

First Secretary (leader) of the Socialist Party (France) : 1988–1992. Elected in 1988.

Mauroy's First Government, 21 May 1981 – 23 June 1981

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Mauroy's Second Government, 23 June 1981 – 22 March 1983

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Changes

Mauroy's Third Government, 22 March 1983 – 17 July 1984

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Changes

  • 4 October 1983 – Paul Quilès succeeds Quiliot as Minister of Town Planning and Housing.
  • 18 December 1983 – Roland Dumas enters the Cabinet as Minister of European Affairs.

References

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  1. ^ Pierre Mauroy Institute biography (In French)
  2. ^ Social Change in Modern France Towards a Cultural Anthropology of the Fifth Republic By Henri Mendras, Alistair Cole, 1991, P.95
  3. ^ A Concise History of France by Roger Price, 2014, P.422
  4. ^ The French Paradox Understanding Contemporary France By Frank Roy Willis, 1982, P.126
  5. ^ A Concise History of France by Roger Price, 2014, P.422
  6. ^ France: Lille By Laurence Phillips, 2024
  7. ^ The Workers of Nations Industrial Relations in a Global Economy 1995, Editor: Sanford M. Jacoby, 1995
  8. ^ "Report on Social Developments Year 1982" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 November 2013.
  9. ^ The Cambridge Illustrated History of France By Colin Jones, 1999, P.312
  10. ^ Sowerine, Charles (2001). France since 1870: Culture, Politics, and Society. New York: Palgrave. ISBN 0333658361.
  11. ^ OECD Economic Surveys France By Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 1982, P.73 – via Google Books
  12. ^ Tuppen, J.N. (1983). The Economic Geography of France, Croom Helm, 1983, P. 61
  13. ^ Recasting Welfare Capitalism Economic Adjustment in Contemporary France and Germany By Mark Vail, 2010, P.60
  14. ^ Shaping Race Policy The United States in Comparative Perspective By Robert C. Lieberman, 2011, P.112
  15. ^ Socialists in the Recession: The Search for Solidarity By Giles Radice and Lisanne Radice, Macmillan Press, 1986, P.126
  16. ^ CM. 9 février 1983 La Politique en faveur des personnes âgées. Prononcé le 9 février 1983 Intervenant(s) : Daniel Benoist Source: Vie-publique.fr
  17. ^ Socialists in the Recession: The Search for Solidarity By Giles Radice and Lisanne Radice, Macmillan Press, 1986, P.59
  18. ^ The Ramparts of Nations Institutions and Immigration Policies in France and the United States By Jeffrey M. Togman, 2001, P.121
  19. ^ The Mitterrand Years Legacy and Evaluation, Editor: Mairi Maclean 2016, P.54-55
  20. ^ Politics in France: From Giscard To Mitterrand by Ian Derbyshire, 1987, P.75
  21. ^ The Welfare State's Other Crisis Explaining the New Partnership Between Nonprofit Organizations and the State in France By Claire Frances Ullman, 1998, P.15
  22. ^ The People's Home? Social Rented Housing in Europe and America By Michael Harloe, 2008, P.395
  23. ^ Housing, Welfare, and the State in Europe A Comparative Analysis of Britain, France, and Germany By Mark Kleinman, 1996, P.70
  24. ^ The French Welfare State Surviving Social and Ideological Change By John Ambler, 1991, P.247
  25. ^ Urban Transport Strategy to Combat Climate Change in the People's Republic of China By Asian Development Bank,2012
  26. ^ Gay and Lesbian Communities the World Over By Rita J. Simon, Alison M. Brooks, 2009, P.79-80
  27. ^ OECD Economic Surveys France By Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 1981, P.73 – via Google Books
  28. ^ Women and Social Security Progress Towards Equality of Treatment By Anne-Marie Brocas, Anne-Marie Cailloux, Virginie Oget, 1990, P.91
  29. ^ Social Security in the 21st Century By Eric R. Kingson, James H. Schulz, 1997, P.143
  30. ^ Mitterand’s France Edited By Sonia Mazey and Michael Newman, 1987, P.89
  31. ^ French Women's Writing Recent Fiction By Elizabeth Fallaize, 1993, P.18
  32. ^ Social Exclusion and Inner City Europe Regulating Urban Regeneration By S. Mangen, 2004, P.11
  33. ^ Labour Law In France Third Edition, By Michel Despax†, Jean-Pierre Laborde, Jacques Rojot†, 2023
  34. ^ Schools and Work Technical and Vocational Education in France Since the Third Republic By Charles R. Day, 2001, P.98
  35. ^ Culture in France and Germany (RLE: German Politics) A Contemporary Perspective, 2014 (Originally published 1991), Editors: Eva Kolinsky and John Gaffney, P.76
  36. ^ Global capital, political institutions, and policy change in developed welfare states By Duane Swank, 2002, P.191
  37. ^ Global capital, political institutions, and policy change in developed welfare states By Duane Swank, 2002, P.192
  38. ^ The Future of European Welfare A New Social Contract? By Martin Rhodes, 2016, P.107
  39. ^ Jones, C. (1999). The Cambridge Illustrated History of France. Cambridge University Press. p. 313. ISBN 9780521669924. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  40. ^ The Long Presidency France In The Mitterrand Years, 1981-1995 By Julius W Friend, 2018
  41. ^ Pierre Mauroy Institute biography (In French)
  42. ^ Pierre Mauroy Institute biography (In French)
  43. ^ Baume, Maïa de la; Erlanger, Steven (7 June 2013). "Pierre Mauroy, Former French Socialist Premier, Dies at 84 - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  44. ^ a b c "Assemblée nationale – Base de données historique des anciens députés" (in French). National Assembly of France. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  45. ^ "Pierre MAUROY" (in French). Senate of France. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
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