Michel Rocard

Michel Rocard is a French politician. He was born at Courbevoie (Hauts-de-Seine) in 1930.

He entered politics as a student leader at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration. A finance inspector (senior official) and anti-colonialist, he went to Algeria and made a report regarding widely ignored refugee camps. This report was leaked to newspapers Le Monde and France Observateur in April 1959, almost costing Rocard his job.

He directed the Unified Socialist Party (PSU) from 1967 to 1974 and stood in the 1969 Presidential elections. In 1974, he joined François Mitterand Parti Socialiste. Under Mitterand first presidency, he was Minister to Regional and Economical Planning from 1981 to 1983 and Agriculture Minister from 1983 to 1985. After Mitterand re-election, he was named Prime Minister (1988-1991) and conducted Matignon Accords regarding New Caledonia status.

He is now a European Deputy.

See also: List of Prime Ministers of France