Abstract

After Mitterrand's stunning victory on May 10, 1981, an anti-Left front was mobilized around such themes as security, “freedom of choice” in education, immigration, etc., — all inspired by a rhetoric of radical opposition predicated on a strong ideological distinction between Right and Left, and premised on a populist reinterpretation of ultra-liberal motifs (against the welfare state and in favor of the market society of property-holders and entrepreneurs) and authoritarian-nationalist themes. The end result was the Right's victory in the legislative elections on March 16, 1986. After Mitterrand's reelection in May 8 and the legislative elections in June 1988, political conflicts and ideological debates have diminished.