Ramadier, Paul

(1888-1961)

   political figure

   Born in La Rochelle, Paul Ramadier served as the mayor of Decazeville (1919) and as a Socialist deputy (1928), and founded the Socialist and Republican Union (1933). Minister of labor in the cabinets of camille chautemps and Edouard dal-adier (1938-40), and a supporter of the popular front with léon Blum, he voted against giving full powers to Marshal Philippe pétain (July 1940) and joined the resistance. Minister of supplies (1944-45), and of justice (1946-47), then premier (January 1947), he removed the Communist ministers (e.g., maurice thorez) from the government who were opposed to his social, political, and colonial policies, putting an end also to tripartism (May 1947). Adhering to the Marshall Plan for aid to Europe after World War II, presented to counteract the rise of communism, and putting through the vote on Algeria (August 1947), but faced with social unrest, he had to resign (November 1947). Ramadier later served as minister of national defense (1948-49), then of economic affairs (1956-57).