1883-1945. French right-wing politician. He
was prime minister and foreign secretary
1931-32, and again 1935-36. In World War II
he joined Petain's Vichy government as
vice-premier June 1940; dismissed Dec 1940,
he was reinstated by Hitler's orders as head
of the government and foreign minister 1942.
After the war he was executed. Laval, born
near Vichy, entered the chamber of deputies
1914 as a Socialist, but after World War I
moved towards the right. His second period as
prime minister was marked by the Hoare-Laval
Pact for concessions to Italy in Abyssinia.
His share in the deportation of French labour
to Germany during World War II made him
universally hated. When the Allies invaded he
fled the country, but was arrested in
Austria, tried for treason, and shot after
trying to poison himself.