Edith Cresson (born January 27, 1934) is a French politician.

Born Edith Campion in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, Cresson became active in Socialist politics.

In April 1991 President appointed her as France's first female Prime Minister. She replaced Michel Rocard as Prime Minister and held office until May 1992.

Cresson was well-known for making outspoken and often controversial comments. She was very critical of "Anglo-Saxon" nations and often condemned the culture and people of the United State, Germany, and Great Britain. She often described homosexuality as being a largely Anglo-Saxon "problem" that had little relevance in France. Her strong criticism of Japanese trade practices likewise prompted her to use harsh rhetoric that some considered boderline racist (going as far as to compare the Japanese to ants).

She held office for less than a year and was replaced by Pierre Bérégovoy in early 1992.

From 1995 to 1999, she was the EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Technology. In 1999 she had to step down under alledged corruption, bringing the whole Commission presided by Jacques Santer to fall.

Cresson is married with two daughters.

Cresson's Ministry, 15 May 1991 - 2 April 1992

Edith Cresson - Prime Minister

• Roland Dumas - Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Pierre Joxe - Minister of Defense
• Philippe Marchand - Minister of the Interior
• Pierre Bérégovoy - Minister of Economy, Finance, Budget, and Privatization
• Roger Fauroux - Minister of Industry
• Martine Aubry - Minister of Labour, Employment, and Vocational Training
• Henri Nallet - Minister of Justice
• Lionel Jospin - Minister of National Education
• Jack Lang - Minister of Culture and Communication
• Louis Mermaz - Minister of Agriculture and Forests
• Brice Lalonde - Minister of Environment
• Frédérique Bredin - Minister of Youth and Sports
• Louis Le Pensec - Minister of Overseas Departments and Territories
• Paul Quilès - Minister of Transport, Housing, Space, and Equipment
• Jean Poperen - Minister of Relations with Parliament
• Edwige Avice - Minister of Cooperation and Development
• Jean-Pierre Soisson - Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Modernization
• Michel Delebarre - Minister of City and Regional Planning
• Hubert Curien - Minister of Research and Technology
• Jean-Louis Bianco - Minister of Social Affairs and Integration

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Michel Jobert | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Minister of External Commerce
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Roger Fauroux

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Michel Crépeau

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Alain Madelin

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Michel Rocard | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Prime Minister of France
1991–1992 | width="30%" |Succeeded by:
Pierre Bérégovoy