Fabius, Laurent (1946– )

French politician, leader of the Socialist Party (PS) 1992–93. As prime minister 1984–86, he introduced a liberal, free-market economic programme, but his career was damaged by the 1985 Greenpeace sabotage scandal.

Fabius became economic adviser to PS leader François Mitterrand 1976, entered the National Assembly 1978, and was a member of the socialist government from 1981. In 1984, at a time of economic crisis, he was appointed prime minister. He resigned after his party's electoral defeat March 1986, but remained influential as speaker of the National Assembly and as its president from 1988. In January 1992 he was elected PS first secretary (leader), replacing Pierre Mauroy. He was ousted as leader April 1993, after the Socialists lost more than 200 seats in the March general election.