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André Liautey
André Liautey
	André Liautey in 1936
Deputy for Haute-Saône
	In office; 5 July 1951 – 1 December 1955
Preceded by	None (district re-established)
Succeeded by	None (district dissolved)
Deputy for Haute-Saône
	In office; 1 June 1932 – 31 May 1942
Preceded by	Gaston About
Succeeded by	None (district abolished under Vichy)
Mayor of Port-sur-Saône
	In office; 1945–1959
Preceded by	Vacant (after WWII)
Succeeded by	Pierre Richard
Undersecretary of State for Agriculture
	In office; 4 June 1936 – 10 April 1938
Personal details
Born	André François Marie Joseph Liautey; 9 March 1896; Port-sur-Saône, Haute-Saône, France
Died	6 October 1972 (aged 76); Port-sur-Saône, Haute-Saône, France
Political party	Radical-Socialist Party (until 1940)
Other political; affiliations	Rally of Republican and Independent French Groups (1951–1956)
Education	École libre des sciences politiques
Alma mater	Faculty of Law, Paris
Profession	Lawyer, politician
Awards	Croix de Guerre

André François Marie Joseph Liautey (9 March 1896 – 6 October 1972) was a French politician, lawyer, and decorated veteran of World War I. A member of the Radical-Socialist Party, he served as a deputy for Haute-Saône both before and after World War II. Liautey held the position of Undersecretary of State for Agriculture between 1936 and 1938 and later founded the Rally of Republican and Independent French Groups (RGRIF).

Early life and education

Born in Port-sur-Saône, Haute-Saône, Liautey attended the prestigious École libre des sciences politiques after completing studies in law at the University of Paris. He graduated with a doctorate in law and a diploma in administrative and financial studies.

During the First World War, he served in the French Army, earning the Croix de Guerre for his bravery in combat.

Political career

Third Republic

Liautey entered politics as a member of the Radical-Socialist Party, winning election as deputy for Haute-Saône in 1932. He was re-elected in 1936 and served until 1940. During his tenure, he was appointed Undersecretary of State for Agriculture in several governments, including those of Léon Blum and Camille Chautemps.

Liautey focused on policies to modernize French agriculture and collaborated with the forestry administration to promote tourism in France’s rural areas.

On 10 July 1940, Liautey voted to grant full powers to Philippe Pétain, a decision that later estranged him from the Radical-Socialist Party.

Postwar period and Fourth Republic

After World War II, Liautey broke with his previous party and founded the Rally of Republican and Independent French Groups (RGRIF). This centrist alliance aimed to attract moderates unwilling to join more polarized political factions. Liautey was re-elected to the National Assembly in 1951 under the RGRIF banner.

Other roles and contributions

In addition to his political career, Liautey was a prominent figure in various organizations:

President of the Confédération générale des contribuables.
Advocate for veterans’ rights as president of the International Conference of Associations of Mutilated and Former Combatants.
Secretary of the National Syndicate of Bouilleurs de cru.

He also served as mayor of his hometown, Port-sur-Saône, from 1945 to 1959 and as a member of the Conseil général for Haute-Saône.

Personal life and legacy

André Liautey remained dedicated to his home region throughout his life, residing in Port-sur-Saône until his death in 1972. He is remembered for his contributions to French politics during both the interwar and post-war periods, as well as his advocacy for veterans.

Notes and references

Sources

Olivier Verdier, Action politique et défense des intérêts catégoriels : André Liautey et le monde des groupes de pression, 1919-1960, thèse de Paris X, 2009.
Charlotte Leblanc, « Un grand projet des années 1930 pour la valorisation du bois : une expérimentation menée en Haute-Saône », Collectif, Monumental, Le patrimoine des années 1925-1935, Paris, Éditions du patrimoine, 2018, No. 2, 128 p., p. 50-53.

André Liautey