1924 - 1931 Gaston Doumergue

1 August 1863
Pierre Paul Henri Gaston Doumergue was born in Aigues-Vives (Department of Gard), into a Protestant family. After earning a degree and a doctorate in Law in Paris, he joined the Nîmes Bar in 1885.

1890
Substitute (magistrate who assists the Prosecutor General and the French Public Prosecutor) in Hanoi, in Indochina.

1893
He was named justice of the peace in Algiers.

17 December 1893
Elected Radical Deputy for Nîmes, he was re-elected on 8 May 1898 and 27 April 1902.

7 June 1902-23 January 1905
He served as Minister of the Colonies in the Combes Government, under the Presidency of Émile Loubet.

17 January 1906
Armand Fallières was elected President of the Republic.

14 March-24 October 1906
He served as Minister of Trade, Industry and Labour.

25 October 1906-4 January 1908
He served as Minister of Trade and Industry.

4 January 1908-2 November 1910
He served as Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts.

6 March 1910
He was elected Senator for Gard and re-elected in 1912 and 1921.

9 December 1913-8 June 1914
He was Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs at the request of President Poincaré.

3-26 August 1914
He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs

26 August 1914-19 March 1917
He served as Minister of Colonies.

February 1923
He was President of the Senate.

June 1924
After the resignation of Alexandre Millerand, Gaston Doumergue was elected President of the Republic. He stated he was in favour of a policy of firmness vis-à-vis Germany in the face of a re-emerging nationalism. His seven-year-term was marked by strong ministerial instability.

1 July 1926
Gaston Doumergue appointed Raymond Poincaré as Prime Minister.

16-19 May 1927
The President visited London and was received by George V.

10-12 October 1929
He visited Brussels.

14 May 1930
He visited Algeria for the centenary celebrations of the conquest.

12-24 October 1930
He visited Morocco.

8-18 April 1931
He visited Tunisia for the 50th anniversary of the protectorate.

1931
Gaston Doumergue’s seven-year term ended.

February 1934
After the riot of 6 February, Gaston Doumergue was appointed Prime Minister again by President Albert Lebrun. He wanted to strengthen the executive power, but the Radicals were against his proposed constitutional reform.

8 November 1934
He resigned and retired from political life.

18 June 1937
Gaston Doumergue, affectionately known as “Gastounet”, died in Aigues-Vives.