political
François Mitterrand Elected — First Socialist President of Fifth Republic
François Mitterrand defeats incumbent Valéry Giscard d'Estaing with 51.8% of the vote, ending 23 years of right-wing rule. His program includes nationalization of major industries and banks, abolition of the death penalty (Robert Badinter, 1981), the 39-hour workweek, and a fifth week of paid vacation. The government pivots to austerity in 1983 under the 'tournant de la rigueur.'
Sources
- T1 Conseil constitutionnel – Résultats élection présidentielle 1981 Official western
- T2 Le Monde, 11 mai 1981 – Mitterrand élu Major western