Francois Mitterand


Mitterand was born 26 Oct 1916. He joined the French Army in World War II and was taken prisoner and sent to Germany. He escaped in 1941, and at first joined the occupation government, but in 1943 later joined the French resistance. At the war's end, he was part of de Gaulle's government and oversaw the return of French prisoners and deportees. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1946.	Sapience Home Site map About Sapience Personal studies Biography
In 1958 he broke with de Gaulle's government and began to organize his own political party. In 1962 he was returned to the National Assembly, and in 1965 ran for President against de Gaulle, but was defeated. In 1971 he became leader of a socialist-communist coalition, and in 1974 again ran, unsuccessfully, for President of France. In 1981 he defeated Chirac for the Presidency, but by 1986 the socialist-communist coalition lost much of its influence, and he was forced to name Chirac as prime minister. In 1988 he ran for re-election and again defeated Chirac and regained a majority in the National Assembly. In 1991 he signed the treaty of European Union. In 1995 his term expired and he was succeded by Chirac as President. He died 8 June 1996.

Mitterand was born 26 Oct 1916.

He joined the French Army in World War II and was taken prisoner and sent to Germany. He escaped in 1941, and at first joined the occupation government, but in 1943 later joined the French resistance. At the war's end, he was part of de Gaulle's government and oversaw the return of French prisoners and deportees. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1946.

In 1958 he broke with de Gaulle's government and began to organize his own political party. In 1962 he was returned to the National Assembly, and in 1965 ran for President against de Gaulle, but was defeated. In 1971 he became leader of a socialist-communist coalition, and in 1974 again ran, unsuccessfully, for President of France.

In 1981 he defeated Chirac for the Presidency, but by 1986 the socialist-communist coalition lost much of its influence, and he was forced to name Chirac as prime minister. In 1988 he ran for re-election and again defeated Chirac and regained a majority in the National Assembly. In 1991 he signed the treaty of European Union. In 1995 his term expired and he was succeded by Chirac as President. He died 8 June 1996.