aristide briand (; 28 march 1862 – 7 march 1932) became the prime minister of france in 1909. he participated in the movement for labour-union formation and also in drafting the law of separation of church and state. briand was criticised for trying to make peace with germany. however, it was briand who played a leading role in formulating the locarno pact, a treaty intended to establish peace in western europe and ease relations with germany.