The Longest Presidency: François Mitterrand’s Power, Secrets, and Scandals

In this episode, we profile François Mitterrand, the first left-wing politician to assume the presidency under the Fifth Republic and the longest holder of that office in French history. We trace his complex political evolution, starting from his early days on the nationalist right and his service as a functionary for the Vichy regime—where he was awarded the Order of the Francisque—to his eventual pivot to the Resistance and leadership of the Socialist Party.

Listeners will learn about Mitterrand’s sweeping domestic agenda following his 1981 victory, which included the abolition of the death penalty, the introduction of a 39-hour work week, and the "Grands Projets" that reshaped Paris, such as the Louvre Pyramid and the Bastille Opera. We also examine his foreign policy, specifically his partnership with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, which advanced European integration through the Maastricht Treaty and the acceptance of German reunification.

Finally, we delve into the controversies that shadowed his two terms, including the state-sanctioned bombing of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, the illegal wiretapping of journalists to protect his private life, and the concealment of both his prostate cancer and his illegitimate daughter, Mazarine. Join us for a look at the "quiet force" who reshaped the French Left and successfully concealed his double life until the very end.