"Chronicle of French Presidential Elections": from Charles de Gaulle to Emmanuel Macron, a tale of ardent French politics
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of political power 🚃! This incredible book dives headfirst into the heart of French politics, where the fate of the country hangs in the balance with each election. Sixty years after the first presidential vote, Gérard Courtois, a renowned political journalist and former director of Le Monde, brings us The Saga of Presidential Elections 📖 (Perrin, 464 pages, 25 euros).
Curious about who took the crown in 1965, the year when French citizens elected their president directly for the first time? Here's a peek!
Charles de Gaulle, known for his charismatic leadership, fought to keep his position as president in this historic election. However, he faced a formidable contender in François Mitterrand, who emerged as the left's unyielding champion. The battle between these political heavyweights was as captivating as a prime-time soap opera, captivating millions of French citizens across the nation.
Setting the Stage: Direct Universal Suffrage
Charles de Gaulle declared, "France is everything and everyone. It's not just the left, not just the right 🌐! That's progress, but we don't want chaos. But the regime of parties is chaos." While only two days later, François Mitterrand fired back, "Should we deny that there have always been families of spirit in our Republic? Should we deny that there are social categories, needs, interests, and doctrines in our politics?"
The 1965 election was a turning point, marking the beginning of the era of direct popular election of the French president. Prior to this, the president was selected by the National Assembly. In essence, the people finally had a direct say in who governed their country 🎉.
This is only the tip of the iceberg, folks! Get your copy of The Saga of Presidential Elections to uncover the thrilling twists and turns that unfolded during this unprecedented time in French history. And remember, even although the final pages are reserved for subscribers, you're only missing out on a fraction of the story 😉.
Enrichment Data:
The 1965 presidential election under the Fifth Republic was a significant milestone in French politics. Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand faced off in the landmark first direct election of a French president. Although de Gaulle won with 55.2% of the votes, Mitterrand's strong performance foreshadowed his rise to power, as he eventually became president in 1981.
The introduction of direct universal suffrage increased the power of the presidency at the expense of the National Assembly. De Gaulle's victory in 1965 further cemented his status as a dominant figure in French politics.
- In the electoral year of 2025, books like "The Saga of Presidential Elections" will undoubtedly offer captivating insights, similar to the one penned by Gérard Courtois in 2025, delving into the intricate world of French politics.
- As the general news unfolds in 2025, keep an eye on the presidential race, with its potential candidates mirroring political heavyweights like Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand of 1965.
- During the 2025 presidential election, aspirators might be working overtime in French polling stations, echoing the excitement and suspense that surrounded the 1965 elections, where chrysanthemums were the national symbol.
- As policy-and-legislation debates heat up in 2025, just as it did in 1965, remember the political lesson from that year: the significance of direct universal suffrage, which marked the beginning of the era of popularly elected French presidents.
