François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was born on 26 October 1916 in Jarnac, Charente, to a devoutly Catholic family. He began his political career on the Catholic nationalist right, serving under the Vichy regime during its early years. Mitterrand later joined the Resistance, shifted to the left, and held various ministerial positions under the Fourth Republic. He opposed Charles de Gaulle's establishment of the Fifth Republic and, despite periods of political isolation, emerged as the left's candidate in the 1965 and 1974 presidential elections. Mitterrand was elected President of France in 1981, becoming the first left-wing leader under the Fifth Republic, and was re-elected in 1988, serving until 1995.During his first term, Mitterrand invited the Communist Party into his government, a controversial move that ultimately led to their withdrawal in 1984. His early policies included nationalization of key industries, the introduction of a 39-hour work week, and progressive reforms such as the abolition of the death penalty. However, economic challenges forced him to abandon his radical agenda in favor of austerity and market liberalization. In 1985, he faced backlash for the bombing of the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior, which resulted in one death. Mitterrand appointed Édith Cresson as the first female prime minister in 1991. His presidency also saw periods of 'cohabitation' with conservative governments led by Jacques Chirac and Édouard Balladur.Mitterrand's foreign policy built on Gaullist principles, notably supporting European integration and collaborating with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on the Maastricht Treaty. He accepted German reunification, marking a significant shift in French policy. Mitterrand's health issues, including prostate cancer, were kept secret during his presidency. He died on 8 January 1996, shortly after leaving office. Mitterrand's legacy includes the rise of the Socialist Party and the decline of the Communist Party in France.

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François Mitterrand