French Elections of 1988

Background

The French legislative elections took place on June 5 and 12, 1988, to elect the ninth National Assembly of the Fifth Republic. These elections followed the presidential election held on April 24, 1988, which resulted in the victory of the Socialist Party candidate, François Mitterrand.

Election Results

In the legislative elections, the Socialist Party won the most seats in the National Assembly, but fell short of an absolute majority. The right-wing coalition, led by Jacques Chirac's Rally for the Republic (RPR), won the second-largest number of seats. Other parties represented in the Assembly included the Communist Party and the Greens.

Significance

The outcome of the legislative elections had a significant impact on the French political landscape. The Socialist Party's failure to secure an absolute majority in the Assembly weakened Mitterrand's position as president. It also led to the formation of a coalition government between the Socialists and the Communist Party, which lasted until 1993.

Conclusion

The French elections of 1988 were a watershed moment in French politics, marking a shift away from the dominance of the Socialist Party. The results of these elections had a lasting impact on the balance of power in the French government and shaped the political landscape for years to come.