France-Albert René
France-Albert René (French pronunciation: [fʁɑ̃salbɛʁ ʁəne]; 16 November 1935[1] – 27 February 2019)[2] was a Seychellois politician. He was the second President of Seychelles from 1977 to 2004. His name is often given as simply Albert René or F.A. René; he was also nicknamed Ti France.
France-Albert René | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 2nd President of Seychelles | |
| In office 5 June 1977 – 14 July 2004 | |
| Vice President | James Michel (1996–2004) |
| Preceded by | James Mancham |
| Succeeded by | James Michel |
| 2nd Prime Minister of Seychelles | |
| In office 29 June 1976 – 5 June 1977 | |
| President | James Mancham |
| Preceded by | James Mancham |
| Succeeded by | office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 November 1935 Victoria, Crown Colony of Seychelles |
| Died | 27 February 2019 (aged 83) Mahé, Seychelles |
| Political party | Seychelles People's Progressive Front |
| Spouse(s) | Karen Handley (1950s) Geva Adam (1975) Sarah Zarquani (1992) |
| Alma mater | King's College London |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician |
| Signature |  |
René died on 27 February 2019 in Mahé, Seychelles from respiratory failure, aged 83.[3]
Biography
France-Albert René was educated at St Mary's College in Southampton, England, and at King's College London before becoming a lawyer in Seychelles from 1957 to 1961. Abroad, he was deeply involved in Party politics. Labor, then led by Clement Attlee and later Hugh Gaitskell. These experiences led him to adopt a moderate socialist ideology, favorable to state intervention in the economy and to close ties with conservative forces such as the Roman Catholic Church - the initial goal of his career being to become a member of the clergy. Later, France-Albert René denounced local church leaders who criticized his policy. In 1964, he formed the United People's Unity of Seychelles, precursor of the current People's Party of Seychelles.
France-Albert René Media
Yugoslav delegation waiting for Seychellois President René on Brijuni Islands, SR Croatia, 1979
René on a postage stamp commemorating the 20th anniversary of SPUP, 1984
Former President of Seychelles France-Albert René with his wife, former First Lady Sarah Zarquani René , and children at the presentation of the book on his biography written by Kevin Shillington.
References
Other websites
- Seychelles People's Progressive Front Archived 2018-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
- Website of The People newspaper and SPPF Museum (pro-René; he formerly edited the publication)