I defy anyone - and I have said this to the Germans - to build a solid, articulated, and viable Europe without France's consent.

Following France's surrender and Armistice with Germany in 1940 he served twice in the Vichy Regime as head of government. This proved to be fatal for the negotiations which ultimately fell through. When he first became Minister of Justice Laval abandoned his law practice to avoid conflict of interest.

Following France's surrender and Armistice with Germany in 1940 he served twice in the Vichy Regime as head of government. Pierre Laval (French pronunciation: ​[pjɛʁ laval]; 28 June 1883 – 15 October 1945) was a French politician.