French former PM Pierre Mauroy dies at 84
French Socialist politician Pierre Mauroy has died at the age of 84, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced on Friday. Mauroy was prime minister from 1981 to 1984 under president François Mitterrand.
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Former French Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy has died at the age of 84, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced on Friday.
“A pillar of socialism has passed away,” said Fabius, speaking from Tokyo where he was on an official visit with President François Hollande.
Mauroy had been hospitalised since last weekend for routine treatment following surgery in April 2012 for a lung tumour.
He served as prime minister in the first Socialist government of France’s fifth republic from 1981 to 1984 under president François Mitterrand.
During his term, France voted in landmark reforms such as the 39-hour work week, retirement at the age of 60 and the abolition of the death penalty.
He was also the mayor of Lille, a city in the north of France and a Socialist stronghold, and first secretary of the Socialist Party from 1988 to 1992 before Hollande took over as head of the party.
(FRANCE 24 with wires)
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