Laurent Fabius
Encyclopedia
Laurent Fabius is a French Socialist politician. He served as Prime Minister from 17 July 1984 to 20 March 1986. He was 37 years old when he was appointed and is, so far, the youngest Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic.
and Lycée Louis-le-Grand
. He was a graduate of institutions that are training grounds for academics (École Normale Supérieure
), senior civil servants (École Nationale d'Administration
) and future leaders (Sciences Po).
in 1978 as of the Socialist Party candidate for the fourth constituency of Seine Maritime. He quickly gained entry to the circle of François Mitterrand
, the leader of the party.
and Jacques Delors
) at the age of 37. He advocated a new kind of French socialism which accepted the market economy. In social policy, a law of December 1984 replaced allowance for orphans with a family support allowance, and empowered family allowance funds to aid in recovery of child support hen a parent fails to pay. The allowable income for recipients of the young child allowance was increased (July 1984) for families with three or more hidden. The Fabius Government also sought to reduce penalties on families with working mothers by substantially increasing the income ceiling for dual-income families receiving the young child allowance. A parental education fund was created (1985), which provided for payments to each person who stops work or reduces hours of work as a result of the birth of any child beyond the first two, for which the parent(s) is/are responsible. In addition, a new benefit was introduced for unemployed workers who ahd exhausted their eligibility for unemployment insurance.
Despite the Fabius Government's achievements in social policy, it was unable to prevent a rise in social inequality during its time in office, a situation arguably exacerbated by austerity measures introduced by the government. Although the rate of inflation fell, unemployment continued to increase, standing at 11% in early 1986, compared with 8% in 1983. Concern over rising inequality in France was expressed in the publication of a number of books on both “the new poverty” and “social exclusion,” which had become major public preoccupations. The Fabius Government's inability to prevent both rising unemployemnt and inequality arguably contributed to the defeat of the French Socialists in the 1986 legislative election
, which led Fabius to step down as prime minister.
The symbol of a "modern" French socialism, he was weakened by the "infected blood scandal". His government was accused of having knowingly let doctors give haemophilia
cs transfusions of blood infected by HIV. A judicial process similar to Impeachment acquitted him of all personal moral responsibility in the matter but he has never been absolved by public opinion.
After the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
, a Greenpeace
ship, on 10 July 1985, Prime Minister Fabius summoned journalists to his office on 22 September 1985 to read a 200 word statement in which he said: "The truth is cruel," and acknowledged that "Agents of the French secret service sank this boat. They were acting on orders."
Fabius came to be seen as Lionel Jospin
's rival to be Mitterrand's heir. He failed to win the First Secretaryship of the party in 1988 and 1990 (Rennes Congress
) in spite of Mitterrand's support. Installed as President of the National Assembly in 1988 (at 41 years of age, the equal youngest in the history of the lower house), he succeeded finally in becoming First Secretary of the party in 1992, but resigned after the Socialist disaster of the 1993 legislative election
.
He came back as President of the National Assembly in 1997, then as Minister of Economy and Finance in Lionel Jospin
's cabinet between 2000 and 2002. After Jospin's retirement, he hoped to return as Socialist leader but he failed. He declared that his mind was changed about a number of matters and he joined the left-wing of the party.
In this position he was the leader of the defeated no camp in the vote that took place among the members of his party on 1 December 2004, to decide the stance that the party would take on the impending Referendum on the European Constitution. He went on to lead the rebel faction of the party advocating a no vote in the 2005 Referendum, and was seen as the spearhead of the whole no campaign in France. After the no vote won, the party leader gave an assurance that he could remain in the party though he was dismissed from the party's National Executive Committee.
, but finished third, behind Ségolène Royal
, the winner, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn
. He was subsequently re-elected to the National Assembly in the June 2007 parliamentary election
.
Prime minister : 1984–1986.
Minister of Budget : 1981–1983.
Minister of Research and Industry : 1983–1984.
Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry : 2000–2002.
Electoral mandates
European Parliament
Member of European Parliament
: 1989–1992 (Resignation). Elected in 1989.
National Assembly of France
President of the National Assembly of France : 1988–1992 (Resignation) / 1997–2000 (Became minister in 2000).
Member of the National Assembly of France for Seine-Maritime
: 1978–1981 (Became minister in 1981) / 1986–2000 (Became minister in 2000) / And since 2002. Elected in 1978, reelected in 1981, 1986, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2007.
Regional Council
Regional councillor of Haute-Normandie
: 1992–1995 (Resignation).
General Council
General councillor of Seine-Maritime
: 2000–2002 (Resignation).
Municipal Council
Mayor of Le Grand-Quevilly
: 1995–2000 (Resignation).
First Deputy-mayor of Le Grand-Quevilly
: 1977–1995 / And since 2000. Reelected in 1983, 1989, 2000, 2001, 2008.
Municipal councillor of Le Grand-Quevilly
: Since 1977. Reelected in 1983, 1989, 1995, 2001, 2008.
Agglomeration community Council
President of the Agglomeration community of Rouen
: Since 2008.
Vice-president of the Agglomeration community of Rouen
: 2001–2008.
Member of the Agglomeration community of Rouen
: Since 2001. Reelected in 2008.
Political functions
First Secretary (leader) of the Socialist Party (France)
: 1992–1993.
Changes
Early life
Fabius was born in Paris, the son of Louise (née Strasburger-Mortimer; 1911–2010) and André Fabius (1908–1984). His parents were Jewish and converted to Catholicism, and Fabius was raised an assimilated Catholic. His secondary education was at the Lycée Janson de SaillyLycée Janson de Sailly
Lycée Janson de Sailly is a lycée located in the XVIe arrondissement of Paris, France. It is generally considered as one of the most prestigious lycées in Paris...
and Lycée Louis-le-Grand
Lycée Louis-le-Grand
The Lycée Louis-le-Grand is a public secondary school located in Paris, widely regarded as one of the most rigorous in France. Formerly known as the Collège de Clermont, it was named in king Louis XIV of France's honor after he visited the school and offered his patronage.It offers both a...
. He was a graduate of institutions that are training grounds for academics (École Normale Supérieure
École Normale Supérieure
The École normale supérieure is one of the most prestigious French grandes écoles...
), senior civil servants (École Nationale d'Administration
École nationale d'administration
The École Nationale d'Administration , one of the most prestigious of French graduate schools , was created in 1945 by Charles de Gaulle to democratise access to the senior civil service. It is now entrusted with the selection and initial training of senior French officials...
) and future leaders (Sciences Po).
Member of National Assembly
After his studies, he became an auditor for the Council of State. He was first elected to the National AssemblyFrench National Assembly
The French National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of France under the Fifth Republic. The upper house is the Senate ....
in 1978 as of the Socialist Party candidate for the fourth constituency of Seine Maritime. He quickly gained entry to the circle of François Mitterrand
François Mitterrand
François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was the 21st President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, serving from 1981 until 1995. He is the longest-serving President of France and, as leader of the Socialist Party, the only figure from the left so far elected President...
, the leader of the party.
In government
When Mitterrand was elected president in 1981, Fabius was nominated Minister of the Budget. Two years later, he became Minister of Industry, and pursued the policy of "industrial restructuration". In 1984, a government shake up by Mitterrand led him to be appointed Prime Minister (choosing him over the likes of Pierre BérégovoyPierre Bérégovoy
Pierre Eugène Bérégovoy was a French Socialist politician. He served as Prime Minister under François Mitterrand from 1992 to 1993.-Early career:...
and Jacques Delors
Jacques Delors
Jacques Lucien Jean Delors is a French economist and politician, the eighth President of the European Commission and the first person to serve three terms in that office .-French Politics:...
) at the age of 37. He advocated a new kind of French socialism which accepted the market economy. In social policy, a law of December 1984 replaced allowance for orphans with a family support allowance, and empowered family allowance funds to aid in recovery of child support hen a parent fails to pay. The allowable income for recipients of the young child allowance was increased (July 1984) for families with three or more hidden. The Fabius Government also sought to reduce penalties on families with working mothers by substantially increasing the income ceiling for dual-income families receiving the young child allowance. A parental education fund was created (1985), which provided for payments to each person who stops work or reduces hours of work as a result of the birth of any child beyond the first two, for which the parent(s) is/are responsible. In addition, a new benefit was introduced for unemployed workers who ahd exhausted their eligibility for unemployment insurance.
Despite the Fabius Government's achievements in social policy, it was unable to prevent a rise in social inequality during its time in office, a situation arguably exacerbated by austerity measures introduced by the government. Although the rate of inflation fell, unemployment continued to increase, standing at 11% in early 1986, compared with 8% in 1983. Concern over rising inequality in France was expressed in the publication of a number of books on both “the new poverty” and “social exclusion,” which had become major public preoccupations. The Fabius Government's inability to prevent both rising unemployemnt and inequality arguably contributed to the defeat of the French Socialists in the 1986 legislative election
French legislative election, 1986
The French legislative elections took place on 16 March 1986 to elect the 8th National Assembly of the Fifth Republic. Contrary to other legislative elections of the Fifth Republic, the electoral system used was that of Party-list proportional representation.Since the 1981 election of François...
, which led Fabius to step down as prime minister.
The symbol of a "modern" French socialism, he was weakened by the "infected blood scandal". His government was accused of having knowingly let doctors give haemophilia
Haemophilia
Haemophilia is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body's ability to control blood clotting or coagulation, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken. Haemophilia A is the most common form of the disorder, present in about 1 in 5,000–10,000 male births...
cs transfusions of blood infected by HIV. A judicial process similar to Impeachment acquitted him of all personal moral responsibility in the matter but he has never been absolved by public opinion.
After the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, codenamed Opération Satanique, was an operation by the "action" branch of the French foreign intelligence services, the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure , carried out on July 10, 1985...
, a Greenpeace
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization with offices in over forty countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
ship, on 10 July 1985, Prime Minister Fabius summoned journalists to his office on 22 September 1985 to read a 200 word statement in which he said: "The truth is cruel," and acknowledged that "Agents of the French secret service sank this boat. They were acting on orders."
Fabius came to be seen as Lionel Jospin
Lionel Jospin
Lionel Jospin is a French politician, who served as Prime Minister of France from 1997 to 2002.Jospin was the Socialist Party candidate for President of France in the elections of 1995 and 2002. He was narrowly defeated in the final runoff election by Jacques Chirac in 1995...
's rival to be Mitterrand's heir. He failed to win the First Secretaryship of the party in 1988 and 1990 (Rennes Congress
Rennes Congress
The Rennes Congress was the thirteenth national congress of the French Socialist Party . It took place from 15 to 18 March 1990....
) in spite of Mitterrand's support. Installed as President of the National Assembly in 1988 (at 41 years of age, the equal youngest in the history of the lower house), he succeeded finally in becoming First Secretary of the party in 1992, but resigned after the Socialist disaster of the 1993 legislative election
French legislative election, 1993
French legislative elections took place on 21 and 28 March 1993 to elect the 10th National Assembly of the Fifth Republic.Since 1988, President François Mitterrand and his Socialist cabinets had relied on a relative parliamentary majority. Without the support of the Communists, Prime minister...
.
He came back as President of the National Assembly in 1997, then as Minister of Economy and Finance in Lionel Jospin
Lionel Jospin
Lionel Jospin is a French politician, who served as Prime Minister of France from 1997 to 2002.Jospin was the Socialist Party candidate for President of France in the elections of 1995 and 2002. He was narrowly defeated in the final runoff election by Jacques Chirac in 1995...
's cabinet between 2000 and 2002. After Jospin's retirement, he hoped to return as Socialist leader but he failed. He declared that his mind was changed about a number of matters and he joined the left-wing of the party.
In this position he was the leader of the defeated no camp in the vote that took place among the members of his party on 1 December 2004, to decide the stance that the party would take on the impending Referendum on the European Constitution. He went on to lead the rebel faction of the party advocating a no vote in the 2005 Referendum, and was seen as the spearhead of the whole no campaign in France. After the no vote won, the party leader gave an assurance that he could remain in the party though he was dismissed from the party's National Executive Committee.
2007 Socialist Party presidential primary election
Fabius was a candidate in the Socialist Party's primary election to be the party's candidate in the 2007 presidential electionFrench presidential election, 2007
The 2007 French presidential election, the ninth of the Fifth French Republic was held to elect the successor to Jacques Chirac as president of France for a five-year term.The winner, decided on 5 and 6 May 2007, was Nicolas Sarkozy...
, but finished third, behind Ségolène Royal
Ségolène Royal
Marie-Ségolène Royal , known as Ségolène Royal, is a French politician. She is the president of the Poitou-Charentes Regional Council, a former member of the National Assembly, a former government minister, and a prominent member of the French Socialist Party...
, the winner, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Dominique Gaston André Strauss-Kahn , often referred to in the media, and by himself, as DSK, is a French economist, lawyer, politician, and member of the French Socialist Party...
. He was subsequently re-elected to the National Assembly in the June 2007 parliamentary election
French legislative election, 2007
The French legislative elections took place on 10 June and 17 June 2007 to elect the 13th National Assembly of the Fifth Republic, a few weeks after the French presidential election run-off on 6 May. 7,639 candidates stood for 577 seats, including France's overseas possessions...
.
Political career
Governmental functionsPrime minister : 1984–1986.
Minister of Budget : 1981–1983.
Minister of Research and Industry : 1983–1984.
Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry : 2000–2002.
Electoral mandates
European Parliament
Member of European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
: 1989–1992 (Resignation). Elected in 1989.
National Assembly of France
President of the National Assembly of France : 1988–1992 (Resignation) / 1997–2000 (Became minister in 2000).
Member of the National Assembly of France for Seine-Maritime
Seine-Maritime
Seine-Maritime is a French department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France. It is situated on the northern coast of France, at the mouth of the Seine, and includes the cities of Rouen and Le Havre...
: 1978–1981 (Became minister in 1981) / 1986–2000 (Became minister in 2000) / And since 2002. Elected in 1978, reelected in 1981, 1986, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2007.
Regional Council
Regional councillor of Haute-Normandie
Haute-Normandie
Upper Normandy is one of the 27 regions of France. It was created in 1984 from two départements: Seine-Maritime and Eure, when Normandy was divided into Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy. This division continues to provoke controversy, and some continue to call for reuniting the two regions...
: 1992–1995 (Resignation).
General Council
General councillor of Seine-Maritime
Seine-Maritime
Seine-Maritime is a French department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France. It is situated on the northern coast of France, at the mouth of the Seine, and includes the cities of Rouen and Le Havre...
: 2000–2002 (Resignation).
Municipal Council
Mayor of Le Grand-Quevilly
Le Grand-Quevilly
- Heraldry :-Places of interest:* The ‘Zénith de Rouen’ concert hall.* The fifteenth century manor house at Grand Aulnay.* The church of St. Pierre, dating from the sixteenth century.-Notable people:* Laurent Fabius, politician....
: 1995–2000 (Resignation).
First Deputy-mayor of Le Grand-Quevilly
Le Grand-Quevilly
- Heraldry :-Places of interest:* The ‘Zénith de Rouen’ concert hall.* The fifteenth century manor house at Grand Aulnay.* The church of St. Pierre, dating from the sixteenth century.-Notable people:* Laurent Fabius, politician....
: 1977–1995 / And since 2000. Reelected in 1983, 1989, 2000, 2001, 2008.
Municipal councillor of Le Grand-Quevilly
Le Grand-Quevilly
- Heraldry :-Places of interest:* The ‘Zénith de Rouen’ concert hall.* The fifteenth century manor house at Grand Aulnay.* The church of St. Pierre, dating from the sixteenth century.-Notable people:* Laurent Fabius, politician....
: Since 1977. Reelected in 1983, 1989, 1995, 2001, 2008.
Agglomeration community Council
President of the Agglomeration community of Rouen
Agglomeration community of Rouen
The Agglomeration community of Rouen is located in the Seine-Maritime département in the Haute-Normandie region of northern France.- Participants :The Agglomeration community is composed of the following 45 communes:*Amfreville-la-Mi-Voie...
: Since 2008.
Vice-president of the Agglomeration community of Rouen
Agglomeration community of Rouen
The Agglomeration community of Rouen is located in the Seine-Maritime département in the Haute-Normandie region of northern France.- Participants :The Agglomeration community is composed of the following 45 communes:*Amfreville-la-Mi-Voie...
: 2001–2008.
Member of the Agglomeration community of Rouen
Agglomeration community of Rouen
The Agglomeration community of Rouen is located in the Seine-Maritime département in the Haute-Normandie region of northern France.- Participants :The Agglomeration community is composed of the following 45 communes:*Amfreville-la-Mi-Voie...
: Since 2001. Reelected in 2008.
Political functions
First Secretary (leader) of the Socialist Party (France)
Socialist Party (France)
The Socialist Party is a social-democratic political party in France and the largest party of the French centre-left. It is one of the two major contemporary political parties in France, along with the center-right Union for a Popular Movement...
: 1992–1993.
Fabius's Ministry, 19 July 1984 – 20 March 1986
- Laurent Fabius – Prime Minister
- Claude CheyssonClaude CheyssonClaude Cheysson is a French Socialist politician who served as Foreign Minister in the government of Pierre Mauroy from 1981 to 1984.-Career:...
– Minister of External Relations - Roland DumasRoland DumasRoland Dumas is a lawyer and French Socialist politician who served notably as Foreign Minister under President François Mitterrand from 1984 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1993...
– Minister of European Affairs - Charles HernuCharles HernuCharles Hernu was a French socialist politician, most notably serving as Minister of Defence from 1981 to 1985, until forced to resign over the bombing of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand.-Biography:In 1946, Hernu studied at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium where he...
– Minister of Defence - Pierre JoxePierre JoxePierre Joxe is a former French Socialist politician and has been a member of the Constitutional Council of France since 2001....
– Minister of the Interior and Decentralization - Pierre BérégovoyPierre BérégovoyPierre Eugène Bérégovoy was a French Socialist politician. He served as Prime Minister under François Mitterrand from 1992 to 1993.-Early career:...
– Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget - Édith CressonÉdith CressonÉdith Cresson is a French politician. She was the first and so far only woman to have held the office of Prime Minister of France.- French Prime Minister :Cresson was appointed to the prime ministerial post by President François Mitterrand on 15 May 1991...
– Minister of Industrial Redeployment and External Commerce - Michel DelebarreMichel DelebarreMichel Delebarre is a member of the National Assembly of France. He represents the Nord department, and is a member of the Socialiste, radical, citoyen et divers gauche. He is also mayor of Dunkirk ....
– Minister of Labour, Employment, and Vocational Training - Robert BadinterRobert BadinterRobert Badinter is a high-profile French criminal lawyer, university professor and politician mainly known for his struggle against the death penalty, the abolition of which he successfully sponsored in Parliament in 1981...
– Minister of Justice - Jean-Pierre ChevènementJean-Pierre ChevènementJean-Pierre Chevènement is a French politician. He was Minister of Defense from 1988 to 1991 and Minister of the Interior from 1997 to 2000. He was a presidential candidate in 2002 and since 2008 has been a member of the Senate....
– Minister of National Education - Michel RocardMichel RocardMichel Rocard is a French politician, member of the Socialist Party . He served as Prime Minister under François Mitterrand from 1988 to 1991, during which he created the Revenu minimum d'insertion , a social minimum welfare program for indigents, and led the Matignon Accords regarding the status...
– Minister of Agriculture - Huguette BouchardeauHuguette BouchardeauHuguette Bouchardeau is a French socialist politician, as well as a publisher , essayist, and biographer.-Political career:...
– Minister of Environment - Paul QuilèsPaul QuilèsPaul Quilès is a French Socialist politician.-Biography:He was born in Sig, Algeria.Deputy of Tarn département, close to Laurent Fabius, he was Defense Minister from 1985 to 1986, after the Rainbow Warrior scandal...
– Minister of Transport, Town Planning, and Housing - Michel CrépeauMichel CrépeauMichel Crépeau was a French centre-left politician.Born in 1930, barrister, he joined the Radical Party. When it split in 1972, he founded the Movement of Left Radicals which chosen the alliance with the Socialist Party and the French Communist Party...
– Minister of Commerce, Craft Industry, and Tourism - Gaston DefferreGaston DefferreGaston Defferre was a French socialist politician.-Biography:Lawyer and member of the French Section of the Workers' International political party, he was a member of the Brutus Network, a Resistance Socialist group during World War II...
– Minister of Planning and Regional Planning - Hubert CurienHubert CurienHubert Curien was a French physicist and a key figure in European science politics, as the President of CERN , the first chairman of the European Space Agency , and second President of the Academia Europæa and a President of Fondation de France.-Biography:Born in Cornimont, Vosges in Lorraine,...
– Minister of Research and Technology - Georgina Dufoix – Minister of Social Affairs and National Solidarity.
Changes
- 7 December 1984 – Roland DumasRoland DumasRoland Dumas is a lawyer and French Socialist politician who served notably as Foreign Minister under President François Mitterrand from 1984 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1993...
succeeds Cheysson as Minister of External Relations. The position of Minister of European Affairs is abolished. Jack LangJack Lang (French politician)Jack Mathieu Émile Lang is a French politician. A member of the Socialist Party, he served as France's Minister of Culture from 1981 to 1986 and 1988 to 1992, and as Minister of Education from 1992 to 1993 and 2000 to 2002. He was also the Mayor of Blois from 1989 to 2000...
enters the Cabinet as Minister of Culture. The office of Minister of Social Affairs and National Solidarity is abolished, and Georgina Dufoix leaves the Cabinet. - 4 April 1985 – Henri NalletHenri NalletHenri Nallet is a French politician. He is a member of the Socialist Party.He was twice Minister of Agriculture between 1985 and 1986, and between 1988 and 1990. He also was the Minister of Justice between 1990 and 1992.-References:...
succeeds Rocard as Minister of Agriculture. - 21 May 1985 – 15 November 1985 Edgard PisaniEdgard PisaniEdgard Pisani was a French politician. He was born in Tunis and his parents were Maltese immigrants. He spent his childhood in Tunisia and later studied in Paris. Pisani holds a "licence de lettres" from La Sorbonne. His second marriage was with the daughter of André Le Troquer.He held positions...
appointed minister in charge of New Caledonia - 20 September 1985 – Paul QuilèsPaul QuilèsPaul Quilès is a French Socialist politician.-Biography:He was born in Sig, Algeria.Deputy of Tarn département, close to Laurent Fabius, he was Defense Minister from 1985 to 1986, after the Rainbow Warrior scandal...
succeeds Hernu as Minister of Defense in the wake of the Rainbow WarriorRainbow Warrior (1978)The Rainbow Warrior was a former UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food trawler later purchased by the environmental organisation Greenpeace...
bombing. Jean AurouxJean AurouxJean Auroux is a French politician. He served as Minister of Labour from 1981 to 1983, under former President François Mitterand.-Biography:He started his career as a school teacher, and became the Mayor of Roanne. In 2002, he was sued for corruption in his capacity as Mayor, but he was let go in...
succeeds Quilès as Minister of Transport, Town Planning, and Housing. - 19 February 1986 – Michel CrépeauMichel CrépeauMichel Crépeau was a French centre-left politician.Born in 1930, barrister, he joined the Radical Party. When it split in 1972, he founded the Movement of Left Radicals which chosen the alliance with the Socialist Party and the French Communist Party...
succeeds Badinter as Minister of Justice. Jean-Marie BockelJean-Marie BockelJean-Marie Bockel has been Secretary of State for Defence and Veterans in the government of Prime Minister François Fillon since 18 March 2008, having previously been Secretary of State for Cooperation and La Francophonie since June 2007...
succeeds Crépeau as Minister of Commerce, Craft Industry, and Tourism.
Honours
- Legion of Honour
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of RomaniaOrder of the Star of RomaniaThe Order of the Star of Romania is Romania's highest civil order. It is awarded by the President of Romania...
- Commander of the French National Order of MeritOrdre National du MériteThe Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian RepublicOrder of Merit of the Italian RepublicThe Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951...
(29 January 1990) - Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
External links
- Laurent Fabius' official page in the French National AssemblyFrench National AssemblyThe French National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of France under the Fifth Republic. The upper house is the Senate ....
(in French) - Laurent Fabius' personal web page (in French)
- His Speech to the College Historical Society of Trinity College