Manuel Serra Moret facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Serra Moret
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| 5th President of the Catalan Parliament | |
| In office 5 December 1949 – 7 August 1954 |
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| Preceded by | Antoni Rovira i Virgili |
| Succeeded by | Francesc Farreres i Duran |
| Minister of Economy and Labour with Francesc Macià |
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| In office 28 August 1931 – 3 October 1932 |
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| Minister of Economy< small>with Francesc Macià |
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| In office 3 October 1932 – 19 December 1932 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 May 1884 Vic, Catalonia |
| Died | 29 July 1963 (aged 79) Perpignan, France |
| Political party | Socialist Union of Catalonia, Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia |
| Occupation | Politician Journalist Economist |
Manuel Serra Moret (born May 9, 1884 – died July 29, 1963) was an important Catalan politician and writer. He helped start a political party called the Socialist Union of Catalonia. He also served as a minister for the Catalan government, known as the Generalitat de Catalunya. Later, he became the President of the Parliament of Catalonia while living in exile.
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Manuel Serra Moret's Early Life and Education
Manuel Serra Moret was born in Vic, a city in Catalonia, Spain. His father, Josep Serra Campdelacreu, was a historian. Manuel was very interested in learning. He studied important subjects like economy, how societies work (sociology), and history. He traveled to the United States and England to continue his studies.
In 1908, he married Sara Llorens Carreras. Manuel lived in Argentina for a few years early in his life. He also lived there during times when Spain was ruled by dictators. These dictators were Miguel Primo de Rivera (from 1925–1926) and Francisco Franco (from 1939–1948). Manuel Serra Moret passed away in 1963 in Perpignan, France, while still in exile.
Manuel Serra Moret's Political Journey
Manuel Serra Moret had a long and active political career. He started by serving his local community.
Becoming a Mayor
In 1914, Manuel Serra Moret was chosen as the mayor of Pineda de Mar. This is a town in Catalonia. He held this important position for many years, until 1923.
Joining and Forming Political Parties
Manuel first joined a party called Unió Catalanista. Later, in 1916, he became part of the Catalan Federation of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. In 1923, he decided to leave this party. He then helped create a new party called the Unió Socialista de Catalunya (USC). He founded this party with others, including Rafael Campalans.
Serving the Catalan Government
On April 28, 1931, Manuel Serra Moret was chosen for a big role. He became the Minister of Economy and Labour. This was for the temporary government of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Francesc Macià was the president of this government.
Later that same year, on June 28, he was elected as a representative. He joined the Spanish Constituent Assembly. This group was responsible for writing the Spanish Constitution of 1931.
Elections and Leadership Roles
In the elections for the Parliament of Catalonia on November 20, 1931, Manuel Serra Moret received the most votes in all of Catalonia. He even got more votes than Lluis Companys. Companys later became the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia in 1933. On November 14, 1933, Manuel was also elected to the Spanish Republican Parliament.
In 1938, just before the Spanish Civil War ended, Manuel Serra Moret was elected as the second vice-president of the Catalan Parliament. This was during the last meeting of the Parliament before it was closed down.
Becoming President of the Parliament in Exile
After the Spanish Republic lost the Civil War, many politicians went into exile. When the president of the Catalan Parliament, Antoni Rovira Virgili, died in 1949, Manuel Serra Moret stepped in. He became the acting president of the Parliament. He held this role until 1954.
In 1954, the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia decided to step down. Manuel Serra Moret should have become the next president. However, Francesc Farreres i Duran was chosen instead. This election happened among the exiled members of the Catalan Parliament in Mexico.
Recognizing His Contributions
Years later, in 1982, the re-established Generalitat of Catalonia honored Manuel Serra Moret. They created an award named after him. This award, called Premi Serra i Moret per a obres i treballs sobre civisme, recognizes research about public spirit and good citizenship.
Life in Exile
Manuel Serra Moret lived in exile from 1939 until he passed away in 1963.
Leaving Spain
On January 31, 1939, he walked across the French border. For a few days, he stayed in Perpignan, a city close to the border. Soon after, he moved to England. He had friends there who were part of the Labour Party.
Moving to Argentina and Back
However, Manuel found it hard to find a job in England. Also, World War II was about to begin. So, he flew to Argentina, where his wife Sara was living. Manuel Serra Moret and his family did not return to Europe until 1948. They settled in Perpignan, France, and lived there for the rest of his life.
Writing and Political Work in Exile
During his years in exile, Serra Moret spent his time writing and working on politics. He wrote his most important political essays and economic studies during this period. He became a respected figure for Catalans living in exile and for those still in Catalonia. He was a symbol of socialism and catalanism (the movement for Catalan identity and self-governance).
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Serra para niños
