François Mitterrand won re-election as French president in 1988, ending cohabitation with Prime Minister Jacques Chirac and consolidating Socialist dominance.
Key Facts
- First round date
- 24 April 1988
- Second round date
- 8 May 1988
- Incumbent president
- François Mitterrand (Socialist Party)
- Main right-wing challenger
- Jacques Chirac (RPR)
- French GDP growth in 1988
- 4%
- Chirac poll standing (Jan 1988, round 1)
- 19.5% vs Barre's 23%
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After the Socialists lost the 1986 legislative elections, President Mitterrand was compelled to enter cohabitation with RPR leader Jacques Chirac as Prime Minister. Chirac pursued liberal-conservative domestic policies while Mitterrand retained authority over foreign affairs and defense, creating tension between the two executives and setting the stage for a direct presidential contest.
France held a two-round presidential election on 24 April and 8 May 1988. Mitterrand announced his candidacy late, proposing a moderate programme of national unity. He faced Chirac, UDF candidate Raymond Barre, far-right National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, and several left-wing candidates. Mitterrand's strong polling and the fragmented right-wing field made him the favourite, and he secured re-election in the second round on 8 May.
Mitterrand's victory ended cohabitation and restored unified executive authority under the Socialists. He subsequently dissolved the National Assembly and called new legislative elections, seeking a sympathetic parliamentary majority. The result confirmed the decline of the French Communist Party and demonstrated that centrist, moderate Socialist messaging could draw broad electoral support against a divided conservative opposition.
Political Outcome
François Mitterrand (Socialist) won re-election as President of France, defeating Prime Minister Jacques Chirac in the second round on 8 May 1988.
Cohabitation: Socialist President Mitterrand with RPR Prime Minister Jacques Chirac
Mitterrand re-elected; Chirac's cohabitation government ended; Socialists regained unified executive control