Laval, Pierre

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French extreme-rightwing politician, he gravitated between the wars from socialism through the centre ground (serving as prime minister and foreign secretary 1931–32 and again 1935–36) to the extreme right. As head of the Vichy government and foreign minister 1942–44, he was responsible for the deportation of Jews and for requisitioning French labour to Germany.

Born near Vichy and elected as a socialist deputy in 1914, Laval had trained as a lawyer and acquired considerable wealth from his legal practice. In his second term as premier he negotiated the Hoare–Laval Pact in 1935, providing concessions to Italy in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). In July 1940 he was instrumental in securing the voting of full powers to Marshal Pétain and served as his vice premier until December 1940. At Hitler's insistence Laval was reinstated as head of government from April 1942, reducing Pétain to the role of figurehead. He fled the country in 1944 but was captured in Austria, tried for treason in France in October 1945, and was executed by firing squad, after trying to poison himself.

The flag may have been based on that of Schwyz, one of the original cantons of the Confederation. While the national flag is square, a rectangular flag is used on Swiss lakes and rivers. Effective date: 12 December 1889. >>