Mitterrand, François (1916–1996)

François Mitterrand is the only French president who successfully completed two full 7-year terms. His long political career put him into light as soon as in 1947, when he became the youngest minister of Paul Ramadier's socialist government, in charge of the war veterans, and lasted for nearly half a century, with a long penance as one of the opposition leaders during the 1960s and the '70s.

A superb tactician, as well in political parties politicking as in campaigning, his stature increased when he made it to the second round of voting against incumbent president General Charles de Gaulle, for the 1965 presidential election. Though he did not win then, he appeared as a strong opponent. For the official campaign television broadcasts, in order to avoid ...