Jacques Chaban-Delmas

(real surname, Delmas). Born Mar. 7, 1915, in Paris. French political and state figure.

Chaban-Delmas began writing journalism in 1933. During World War II he was active in the Resistance. He became a deputy to the National Assembly in 1946 and was elected mayor of Bordeaux in 1947. He was a leader of two Gaullist parties: the Rally of the French People and the Union for the Defense of the Republic.

Chaban-Delmas was minister of public works in 1954 and 1955, minister of state in 1956 and 1957, and minister of national defense in 1957 and 1958. From 1958 to 1969 and from 1978 to 1981 he served as president of the National Assembly. As prime minister from 1969 to 1972 he carried out a flexible social policy and put forward a program designed to bring about a more just “new society.” Chaban-Delmas became inspector general of finance in 1973 and ran for the office of president of the republic in 1974.