Hubert Védrine

Hubert Védrine (born July 31, 1947) is a French Socialist politician.

Diplomatic adviser of President Mitterrand, he served as secretary-general of the presidency from 1991 to 1995, then as Foreign Minister in the government of Lionel Jospin from 1997 to 2002.

After the reelection of Jacques Chirac in May 2002, Vedrine was replaced by Dominique de Villepin. All three men were characterised by their strong opposition to unilateral action by the United States in Iraq. Védrine popularized the neologism hyperpower to describe what he saw as the historically unparalleled influence and might held by the United States at the turn of the century.

He is a graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (best known as Sciences Po), where he is now an instructor. He continues to be very active in the national politics spotlight, largely through his continuous publishing.