François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was a French politician who served as President of France from 1981 to 1995, the longest holder of that position in the history of France. As a former Socialist Party First Secretary, he was the first left-wing politician to assume the presidency under the Fifth Republic.
Mitterrand in 1983
Mitterrand in 1933
Mitterrand (right) with Philippe Pétain on 15 October 1942
Mitterrand as War Veterans Minister in February 1947
The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic, is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency is the supreme magistracy of the country, the position is the highest office in France. The powers, functions and duties of prior presidential offices, in addition to their relation with the prime minister and government of France, have over time differed with the various constitutional documents since the Second Republic.
President of France
Alain Poher, Acting President of France in 1969 and 1974
The Élysée Palace, the principal residence of the president