He served in the resistance movement in World War II and, from 1944, became an aide and adviser to de Gaulle. While the latter was President, Pompidou held the post of Prime Minister (1962–68) and played an important part in setting up the Evian Agreements. The strikes and riots of 1968 prompted de Gaulle’s resignation (1969) and Pompidou was elected President. In a swift and decisive policy change he devalued the franc, introduced a price freeze, and lifted France’s veto on Britain’s membership of the European Economic Community.