Mercy-le-Haut – Then and Now
Albert Lebrun – President of the Republic 1932 – 1940

Located northeast of Verdun, the former staging village of Mercy-le-Haut is the birthplace of the last president of the Third French Republic, Albert Francois Lebrun.

Lebrun was born on August 29, 1871, the son of a farming family. He completed his studies as a mining engineer at the École Polytechnique and the École des Mines in 1896 as top of his class. He initially worked as an engineer before he began engaging in politics at the age of 29.

As a representative of the Left Republican Party, he was elected for the first time in 1900 for the constituency of Meurthe-et-Moselle as a member of the Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des députés). Between 1911 and 1920, he assumed several ministerial offices (Minister of Colonies 1912–1914, Minister of War 1913, Minister of Liberated Territories 1917–1919). In 1915, he was reactivated as an officer and served as Commandant in the French 5th Foot Artillery Regiment (5e régiment d’artillerie à pied). In 1915, Lebrun was deployed with his regiment in the Champagne battles and in 1916 in the Battle of Verdun.

In 1920, Lebrun was appointed as a member of the Senate, whose vice president he was from 1925 to 1929 and president from 1931 to 1932. Following the assassination of his predecessor Paul Doumer, Albert Lebrun was elected President of the Republic by both chambers of parliament on May 6, 1932. He served two terms. During his first term in 1936, following the victory of the left-wing parties, the formation of the Popular Front government under socialist leadership occurred.