Background
Pierre-Étienne Flandin was born on April 12, 1889 in Paris, France.
Pierre-Étienne Flandin was born on April 12, 1889 in Paris, France.
Nothing is known about his background.
He held a number of cabinet posts during the inter-war years. He was Minister of Commerce, under the premiership of Frédéric François-Marsal, for just five days in 1924. He was Minister of Commerce and Industry in the premierships of André Tardieu in 1931 and 1932. Between these posts he served under Pierre Laval as Finance Minister. He was Minister of Public Works in the cabinet of Gaston Doumergue in 1934. He became Prime Minister in November 1934, and although his premiership only lasted until June 1935, a number of important pacts were negotiated during his term – the Franco–Italian Agreement, the Stresa Front and the Franco-soviet pact.
He was the French Foreign Minister when Adolf Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936.
In December 1940, Vichy Chief of State Philippe Pétain appointed him Foreign Minister and Prime Minister on 13 December 1940, replacing Pierre Laval. He occupied this position for only two months. He was ousted by François Darlan in January 1941.