# François Mitterrand - President of the French Republic

URL: https://history-france.com/rulers/francois-mitterrand
Reign: 1981–1995
Born-Died: 1916 - 1996
Dynasty: Socialist Party
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Fran%C3%A7ois+Mitterrand&go=Go

First Socialist president of the Fifth Republic; served two terms and oversaw major domestic and European changes.

## Succession
- Preceded by: [Valéry Giscard d’Estaing](https://history-france.com/rulers/valery-giscard-d-estaing)
- Succeeded by: [Jacques Chirac](https://history-france.com/rulers/jacques-chirac)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1981 - [François Mitterrand elected president](https://history-france.com/timeline/1981-francois-mitterrand-elected-president)
- 1981 - [Death penalty abolished](https://history-france.com/timeline/1981-death-penalty-abolished)
- 1981 - [Major nationalizations enacted](https://history-france.com/timeline/1981-major-nationalizations-enacted)
- 1982 - [Deferre decentralization laws](https://history-france.com/timeline/1982-deferre-decentralization-laws)
- 1982 - [Retirement age reduced and fifth week of paid leave expanded](https://history-france.com/timeline/1982-retirement-age-reduced-and-fifth-week-of-paid-leave-expanded)
- 1983 - [Mitterrand chooses austerity turn](https://history-france.com/timeline/1983-mitterrand-chooses-austerity-turn)
- 1984 - [Mass demonstrations over private schools](https://history-france.com/timeline/1984-mass-demonstrations-over-private-schools)
- 1985 - [Rainbow Warrior bombing](https://history-france.com/timeline/1985-rainbow-warrior-bombing)
- 1986 - [First cohabitation begins](https://history-france.com/timeline/1986-first-cohabitation-begins)
- 1986 - [Privatization program begins](https://history-france.com/timeline/1986-privatization-program-begins)
- 1988 - [Mitterrand re-elected](https://history-france.com/timeline/1988-mitterrand-re-elected)
- 1988 - [Matignon Accords on New Caledonia](https://history-france.com/timeline/1988-matignon-accords-on-new-caledonia)
- 1990 - [France participates in coalition after Iraqi invasion of Kuwait](https://history-france.com/timeline/1990-france-participates-in-coalition-after-iraqi-invasion-of-kuwait)
- 1992 - [Maastricht Treaty approved by narrow referendum](https://history-france.com/timeline/1992-maastricht-treaty-approved-by-narrow-referendum)
- 1993 - [Second cohabitation begins](https://history-france.com/timeline/1993-second-cohabitation-begins)
- 1994 - [Channel Tunnel opens](https://history-france.com/timeline/1994-channel-tunnel-opens)
- 1995 - [Jacques Chirac elected president](https://history-france.com/timeline/1995-jacques-chirac-elected-president)
- 1995 - [France resumes final nuclear test series](https://history-france.com/timeline/1995-france-resumes-final-nuclear-test-series)
- 1995 - [Mass strikes oppose Juppé reforms](https://history-france.com/timeline/1995-mass-strikes-oppose-juppe-reforms)