The Rise of the French Socialist Party

The resurgence of the French Socialist party first became apparent in the 1973 general election; it was confirmed by the near-victory of its leader, Francois Mitterand, in the 1974 presidential contest. In the subsequent byelections the Socialists made further headway, giving the united left, for the first time, a majority. Since then, with approximately 30 percent of the popular vote, the Socialist party has emerged as the undisputed winner in most national and local by-elections and in the ...