Emile Loubet French politician, President of France (Third Republic, 1899-1906). Date of Birth: 30.12.1838 Country: France

1. Emile Loubet - Biography
2. Political Career and Reforms
3. Presidency and Dreyfus Affair
4. Legacy and Retirement

Emile Loubet - Biography

Emile Loubet was a French political figure and the President of France during the Third Republic from 1899 to 1906. Born on December 30, 1838, in Marsanne, Drôme, he began his political career as a senator and later served as the Minister of Public Works in the Tirard cabinet in 1888. Loubet also held the position of Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in 1891.

Political Career and Reforms

Although lacking oratorical skills and definitive views, Loubet gained significant popularity within different circles of the Republican Party due to his mild character and opportunistic tendencies. In February 1892, he formed a cabinet consisting of diverse elements, including radicals and opportunists, with himself as the President of the Council. His ministry aimed to introduce various reforms such as regulating child and female labor in factories and mines, establishing a law for arbitration between workers and employers, implementing compensation for work-related accidents, ensuring hygiene measures in factories, and reforming savings banks and liquor taxation.

While Loubet successfully passed the first two projects, the third project, which established optional arbitration proceedings, had little practical application. Nonetheless, his efforts marked a small step forward in addressing social and labor issues. During his ministry, the conquest of Dahomey was completed in November 1892.

Presidency and Dreyfus Affair

After the death of Felix Faure, Emile Loubet was elected as the President of the Republic on February 18, 1899, defeating his opponent Melina by a majority of 483 votes to 279. His presidency coincided with the height of the Dreyfus Affair. Unlike his predecessor, who showed bias towards Dreyfus' opponents, Loubet maintained impartiality throughout the affair. When Dreyfus was re-convicted by a military court in Rennes, Loubet granted him a pardon.

During his presidency, Loubet maintained the Ministry of Dupuy in power and, after its fall, entrusted the formation of coalition cabinets to Waldeck-Rousseau in 1900, Combes in 1902, and Rouvier in January 1905. The Rouvier cabinet remained in power until the end of Loubet's presidency.

Legacy and Retirement

Emile Loubet's presidency witnessed the establishment of stable ministries in France for the first time, largely due to his personal tact in reconciling different opinions and resolving conflicts. He is widely regarded as an exemplary constitutional president, earning the respect of both left-wing and right-wing members of the chambers, despite not aligning with either side personally. However, he faced intense opposition from nationalists, clericals, and anti-Dreyfusards, who fielded Melina against him during the presidential elections.

Throughout his presidency, Loubet faced numerous challenges, including an attempted coup by monarchists in June 1899 and an assault by a monarchist count during a horse race in Oteuil in June 1900. Despite these incidents, he successfully completed his term and refused to seek re-election, handing over the presidency to his successor Armand Fallières in 1906.

Emile Loubet actively contributed to the formation of the Entente Cordiale, exchanging state visits with Emperor Nicholas II of Russia and King Edward VII of Great Britain. He was the seventh president of the Third Republic, and his presidency marked the first natural transfer of power to an elected successor. Emile Loubet holds the record for longevity among French presidents, passing away just 10 days before his 91st birthday.