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Raymond BarrePrime Minister of France from 1976 to 1981
Date of Birth: 12.04.1924
Country:  France |
Content:
- Raymond Barre: The Economist Premier
- Government Career
- Economic Policies
- Post-Premiership
- Presidential Bid and Mayoralty
- Legacy
Raymond Barre: The Economist Premier
Raymond Barre served as Prime Minister of France from 1976 to 1981 under President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Prior to his political career, he was an economics professor at the Institute of Political Studies and École Centrale Paris.
Government Career
Barre held various government positions, including Secretary to the Minister of Industry from 1959 to 1962, and European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs from 1967 to 1973. In 1976, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade and later became Prime Minister on August 26, 1976. He simultaneously served as Finance Minister from August 27, 1976, to April 5, 1978.
Economic Policies
As Prime Minister, Barre was known primarily for his focus on economics. He implemented austerity measures, reducing social obligations and funding for programs in line with the concept of Francophonie. His policies were seen as a manifestation of the crisis of Gaullism. Giscard d'Estaing referred to Barre as "the best economist in France."
Post-Premiership
After François Mitterrand's victory over Giscard in the 1981 election, Barre resigned. However, after a series of setbacks for the Socialists in the mid-1980s, he emerged as a potential presidential candidate, even surpassing Mitterrand in the polls at one point.
Presidential Bid and Mayoralty
In the 1988 presidential election, Mitterrand regained popularity, and Barre, representing the centrist Union for French Democracy, failed to advance to the second round, garnering only 16% of the vote. He later served as Mayor of Lyon from 1995 to 2001, until a financial scandal forced him to resign.
Legacy
Barre retired from politics in 2002. His book "Political Economy" has sold over 10 editions in France.
