Pompidou George: a brief biography, photos, quotes

From time immemorial, the French land was famous for its outstanding rulers and politicians. It so happened that in the cohort of the best was a man named Pompidou Georges, who had a significant influence on the formation of France as one of the most powerful states of Europe, and contributed to the strengthening of its authority in the international arena. About his fate and deeds will be discussed in our article.

Main milestones: birth, parents, education

Pompidou Georges Born July 5, 1911 in a city called Monbudif, located in the department of Cantal. His father and mother were simple teachers, so it can not be said that the future president of the French land had any noble origin.

In 1931, a young man became a student of the Higher Normal School, but before that, there was training in the preparatory courses opened at the Lyceum of Louis the Great. Let us note the fact that Leopold Senghor, who later became the head of Senegal, studied there. Both students were friends.

In 1934, Pompidou took the first place in the competition for philological disciplines and began to teach. He initially practices in Marseilles, and a little later in Paris. By the way, the young specialist received two diplomas - Ecole Normal and the Free School of Political Science.

Personal life

Married Pompidou Georges Became on October 29, 1935. His chosen one was Claude Kaur. Unfortunately, the couple had no children of their own. And so in 1942 the couple adopted a boy named Alain. Their adoptive son is now the chairman of the European Patent Committee. The family was very friendly, and for a long time its members did not part with each other. As for the hobbies of a noble couple, they even before the war with Germany were able to collect a fairly large collection of various works of art.

Activities during the Second World War

During this period George was forced to interrupt his teaching activities and go to serve in the army. He was enlisted in the 141st Alpine Infantry Regiment. Before the defeat of France (in 1940), Pompidou was a lieutenant, and later became a member of the Resistance Movement.

The beginning of political career

After the end of the war Pompidou Georges In 1945, he became a member of the Provisional Government, where he held the post of a referent on education. It was during this period that his close cooperation with the then-President Charles de Gaulle began. After a while our hero moves to the State Council, a little later - to the Committee on Tourism. Strictly speaking, Georges was in the government because of his acquaintance with the outstanding economist Gaston Palevsky. As for relations with de Gaulle, Pompidou quickly became friends with him, but their warm relations ended in a dramatic way, but we'll talk about this a little later.

Advisor to the General

In 1953, de Gaulle was out of work, because he did not see the future of his party. With him, Pompidou, who in turn became manager in the bank of the most famous financiers, the Rothschilds, temporarily left the politics.

In 1958, the disgraced general again returned to power, and with him - and Georges Pompidou, who, thanks to the patronage of his friend, took the post of director of the Cabinet. Georges took an active part in the formation of the government. Between 1959 and 1962 he was again involved in the business of the Rothschilds, but in parallel with this work he holds meetings in the newly created Constitutional Council. Pompidou was also involved in the preparation of the Evian Agreements, which enshrined the independent status of Algeria (1962).

Staying Prime Minister

This post Georges Pompidou, whose photo is given in this article, took over in 1962. By the way, the premiership of the Frenchman was delayed for six years (April 1962 - July 1968), which is now a record for the republic. More than him for so long in the armchair of the head of government has not yet been. During his work five cabinet ministers were replaced.

George's statement in this post was not hampered either by his lack of political authority (he could not be called a widely known figure in politics) or that he had never been a deputy (this requirement ceased to be relevant precisely due to the Gaullist constitution). The government declaration of Pompidou was approved by 259 deputies. But on October 5, 1962 the assembly declared a no-confidence motion to the Cabinet of Ministers. In turn, the head of state de Gaulle exercised his right to dissolve the parliament, at the expense of which Georges remained at the helm of the Cabinet.

A referendum was also held on amendments to the constitution, after which the Gaullists were able to win elections to parliament. Of course, that this alignment led to the strengthening of Pompidou's positions.

But in the mid-60s Georges's team was waiting for tests in the form of mass miners' strikes, increasing inflation and strengthening political opponents. In 1967, the de Gaulle party was able to only slightly outstrip its competitors in the election.

The quarrel with de Gaulle

Georges Pompidou, biography Which will be interesting for studying all educated people, became a popular person in 1968. Such an increase in popularity in the people's environment was promoted by the activity of the French politician, who in the midst of unrest and strikes could extinguish the fire of rebellion among diplomats who rebelled in language. He, as a former teacher, could easily negotiate with representatives of the rebels and consult with them. It was Pompidou who suggested de Gaulle not to hold the already bogus referendums, but to appoint unscheduled elections to the parliament. Thanks to this move, the general strike was stopped. The Grenelle agreements were concluded.

However, such activity led to the end of good relations with de Gaulle. And even the victory in the elections to the parliament of the Gaullist Party (in 1968) was regarded not as a triumph of the general himself, but as confidence in Pompidou by the common people. Eventually, Georges was forced to leave his post and give it to de Murville.

In January 1969, answering questions from journalists in Rome, Pompidou hinted that he was going to run for president. For this team de Gaulle immediately began to look for a former colleague of compromising evidence. All this resulted in the spread of rumors of an insulting nature, which defamed the glorious name of his wife Pompidou. It goes without saying that the result of this was the final rupture of the once friendly relations between two prominent French politicians.

Working as President

On April 28, 1969, de Gaulle was forced to resign, which allowed France to begin a new round of its history.

In turn, this was used by Pompidou George. A brief biography of him testifies that he became one of the favorites of the presidential election.

In the first round of voting, he was able to circumvent his main competitor, but the available votes were not enough to fix the final victory.

The second round was held on June 15, and Pompidou scored 58.2% of the vote. It was a triumph! Four days later, the Constitutional Council officially proclaimed Georges the new president of the country. On June 20, he took up his duties.

Work in the main post of the state for Pompidou began with a significant devaluation of the franc, which amounted to 12%. But skillful actions were able to smooth out the consequences of this event. It is worth noting that during the reign of Georges in the country began a large-scale industrialization and development of transport. It was under him that rapid roads were built, automation and mechanization of agricultural activities increased.

It is also important that Georges Pompidou, whose policies helped bring France to a new level, paid attention to the nuclear program. At the same time, he believed that the atom should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, not in the military aspect. In March 1973, a special service was created to exercise control over nuclear energy.

If we were to talk about foreign policy to Pompidou, he sought independence of the republic from the general course of NATO and the United States. The President believed that it was necessary to strengthen relations within Europe itself. He maintained contacts with the Soviet Union and China. In general, the French preferred informal communication with the heads of other countries, inviting them to joint hunting or dinner and holding meetings "without ties".

End of life

Pompidou George (his quotations went to the people and many of them are used to this day) died on April 2, 1974 due to blood poisoning. However, the infection in the blood has penetrated because of the weakening of immunity, because over the past few years, the head of the Fifth Republic was sick with oncology.

His winged expressions were: "The city is obliged to take the car," "French and French! De Gaulle died, France became a widow! "