Alemán Valdés, Miguel (1902–1983)

Mexican right-wing politician, president 1946–52. Standing as candidate of the ruling National Revolutionary Party (NRP), he was elected in 1946 as the first civilian president of Mexico since Francisco Madero between 1911 and 1913. He changed the NRP's name to the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), to indicate the permanence of the revolution.

The son of a revolutionary general, Alemán was educated at the National University of Mexico City and became a successful lawyer who defended the rights of workers. A deputy for Veracruz state 1930–35 and a senator from 1935, he served as state governor 1936–40. He directed the successful 1940 presidential campaign of Manuel Ávila Camacho, under whom he served as interior minister 1940–45.

As president, Alemán promoted communications improvements and industrialization and, for the first time since the Mexican revolution, industrialists were brought into the government. In addition, labour unions were purged of left-wing leaders and the pace of land distribution slowed down, with the Alemán presidency marking a decisive shift towards the path of capitalist development and closer Mexican relations with the USA. Alemán and his family profited from his political activities, and used the amassed fortune to develop Acapulco as a luxury tourist centre.