Paul Deschanel French politician, President of France (Third Republic, February-September 1920). Date of Birth: 13.02.1855 Country: France

1. Biography of Paul Deschanel
2. Early Life and Political Career
3. Presidency and Controversies
4. Resignation and Return to Politics

Biography of Paul Deschanel

Paul Deschanel was a French politician and the President of France (Third Republic, February-September 1920). He began his career in 1885 as a deputy for the department of Er and Loire. He was one of the leaders of the Progressive Party. From 1898 to 1901, he served as the President of the Lower House of the National Assembly; however, in 1902, he was not reelected to this position and was replaced by radical politician Bourgeois. Deschanel was known for his brilliant oratory skills. He was also an author of many books and articles and became a member of the French Academy in 1899.

Early Life and Political Career

Paul Deschanel was born in Belgium to his father, scientist and senator of France, Emile Deschanel. His father lived in exile in Belgium, protesting against the regime of Napoleon III. Deschanel began his career in 1885 as a deputy for the department of Er and Loire. He quickly became one of the leaders of the Progressive Party and gained recognition for his eloquence.

Presidency and Controversies

In January 1920, Deschanel was elected as the President of the Republic, as the term of Raymond Poincaré was coming to an end in a month. Deschanel defeated Georges Clemenceau, whose confrontational nature was seen as unfavorable by parliamentarians. However, Deschanel's own mental health deteriorated unexpectedly in the same year.

On May 24, 1920, the 65-year-old president was traveling by train in the south of France. He approached the window of the train in his pajamas, lost his balance, and fell out of the window. The train was moving at a low speed, and Deschanel survived. However, his entourage and security were horrified when they discovered the disappearance of the head of state. When a disheveled elderly man in pajamas arrived at the Montargis railway station and claimed to be the president of the republic, the officials, not recognizing him, believed him to be a drunkard and took him to the police station. Deschanel's wife later recounted, "I immediately knew it was him because he had clean feet!"

The missing president was soon found with the help of telegraph and was brought back to Paris. It was revealed that the fall and subsequent shock had seriously damaged his mental and physical health (according to other sources, the cause and effect relationship was reversed, and Deschanel jumped out of the window in a state of mental confusion). The incident became widely publicized and was accompanied by mockery and caricatures.

Resignation and Return to Politics

After a semi-naked Deschanel took a walk in the Rambouillet Park on September 10 and jumped into the water without removing his clothes (and later claimed to remember nothing), he was convinced to resign due to health reasons. He spent only 7 months and 3 days in the Elysee Palace, becoming one of the shortest-serving presidents (13 days longer than Casimir-Perier). In 1921, Deschanel, having recovered from his mental disorder, found the courage to return to politics. He ran for the Senate in the department of Er and Loire, where his career had originally started, and won. The following year, he was elected as the Chairman of the Senate Commission on Foreign Affairs, earning great respect in that position. However, he passed away shortly after, ending his political career.