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, whic ...