Paul Vergès

Who is Paul Vergès?

Paul Vergès is a Réunionese politician. Born in Ubon Ratchathani, Siam, Vergès founded the Communist Party of Réunion in 1959, a party which he led until he retired in 1993. He made a political comeback at the 2004 European Parliament elections, when he was elected as the third candidate on the list of the French Communist Party, which is part of the European United Left–Nordic Green Left group. Vergès sat in the European Parliament's Committee on Development.

He was MP in National Assembly of France from 1956 to 1958, 1986 to 1987, and from 1993 to 1996.

He was senator in French Parliament from 1996 to 2004 and again since 2011.

Member of European Parliament from 1979 to 1989 and from 2004 to 2007.

He had been President of the regional council of Réunion from 1998 to 2010. Regional councillor since 2010.

Mayor of Le Port from 1971 to 1989.

General councillor of La Réunion from 1955 to 1967, and again from 1985 to 1998.