François Mitterrand

François Mitterrand ran for president of France four times before winning the post in 1981. Once president, he established a reputation for pragmatic, consensual leadership, often sharing power with members of other political camps. Mitterrand expanded social benefits, and nationalized French banks and a number of French industries. Re-elected president in 1988, Mitterrand was the only president of the Fifth Republic to complete two terms in office. Seriously ill with prostate cancer, he retired at the end of his second term in 1995, dying in January 1996.

UPI/THE BETTMANN ARCHIVE

Appears in these articles

Mitterrand, François Maurice; France

*	Exclusively for MSN Encarta Premium Subscribers Join Now