ALAIN POHER

'Alain Poher' (April 17, 1909 - December 9, 1996) was a French politician. He was president of the French Senate from 1968 to 1992, and served twice as the country's interim president.

Contents

Biography

Biography

He was born in Ablon-sur-Seine, Seine-et-Oise.
According to the French constitution's order of succession, the president of the senate assumes the nation's presidential powers & duties following the President's death or resignation, and becomes interim Head of State until the next election.
Poher's first stint as interim president came on 29 April 1969, when Charles de Gaulle resigned. Following favourable polls, he attempted formally to run for the office, but particularly because he did not have a longstanding party machine behind his bid, he lost in the second round to Georges Pompidou and re-assumed his senate presidency once Pompidou was sworn in on 20 June 1969. Pompidou died in office on 2 April 1974, and Poher served again as interim president until election winner Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was sworn in on 27 May 1974.