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Marie-George BuffetFrench politician and statesman
Date of Birth: 07.05.1949
Country:  France |
Content:
- Marie-George Buffet: A French Political and Stateswoman
- Political Ascent
- Minister of Youth and Sports
- Leadership of the French Communist Party
- National Assembly Member
- Political Policies
- Failed Presidential Candidacy
- Post-Presidential Election Career
- Retirement
Marie-George Buffet: A French Political and Stateswoman
Early Life and CareerMarie-George Buffet was born in the commune of Sau on May 7, 1949. After completing her studies in history and geography, she worked in the municipality of Le Plessis-Robinson. In 1969, she became a member of the French Communist Party (PCF).
Political Ascent
By 1984, Buffet had joined the PCF's Central Committee, and in 1994, she was elected to the Politburo. She was appointed to the party's National Secretariat in 1997.
Minister of Youth and Sports
From 1997 to 2002, Buffet served as Minister of Youth and Sports in the government of Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. As minister, she focused on fighting doping and establishing a new advisory body, the National Council on Youth.
Leadership of the French Communist Party
National Secretary (2001-2002)In 2001, Buffet became the National Secretary of the PCF. However, the party was effectively led by a tandem of Buffet and Robert Hue. Following Hue's unsuccessful bid in the 2002 presidential election, Buffet emerged as the sole leader of the party.
National Assembly Member
In 2002, Buffet was elected as a deputy to the National Assembly from the department of Seine-Saint-Denis. In 2004, she headed the PCF list in the regional elections in her native Île-de-France.
Political Policies
As leader of the PCF, Buffet advocated for the interests of workers, promoting free housing for the working class through increased taxes on industrial goods. She was also a vocal feminist.
Failed Presidential Candidacy
In 2006, Buffet attended a rally of the "anti-liberal wing" of the left with the aim of reconciling the PCF with other far-left movements and fielding a single presidential candidate. However, the PCF refused to back any candidate other than Buffet. Despite her support from a majority of rally participants, other parties and organizations declined to recognize her as the sole candidate of the left-wing. As a result, she competed against Olivier Besancenot of the Trotskyist Revolutionary Communist League, who achieved significantly more votes (1.5 million) than Buffet (707,200 votes).
Post-Presidential Election Career
Following her unsuccessful presidential bid, Buffet stepped down as party leader in 2007. A directorate was formed to lead the party, but Buffet reasserted her sole leadership in 2009.
Retirement
In 2010, at the party's 35th Congress, Buffet retired as National Secretary, passing the baton to Pierre Laurent.
