The 1995 presidential elections in France were held on April 23 (first round) and May 7 (second round). The fifth president of the Fifth Republic was elected in the elections, which was Jacques Chirac .
← 1988  2002 → | |||
| Presidential election in france | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| April 23 and May 7, 1995 | |||
| Voter turnout | 78.38% in the first round, 79.66% in the second | ||
 |  |  | |
| Candidate | Jacques Chirac | Lionel Jospin | Edward Balladur |
| The consignment | Union in support of the republic | Socialist Party | Union for French Democracy |
| Votes in the first round | 6,348,696 (20.84%) | 7,098,191 (23.3%) | 5,658,996 (18.57%) |
| Votes in the second round | 15 763 027 (52.64%) | 14 180 644 (47.36%) | |
| Other candidates | see below | ||
| Election result | Jacques Chirac elected president | ||
Content
The situation before the elections
The previous president, Francois Mitterrand, did not participate in the elections, since he was 78 years old at that time, he was diagnosed with cancer, and besides, his Socialist Party lost the previous parliamentary elections of 1993 . As a result, he was forced to share power with the conservative prime minister, Edouard Balladur , a member of the neo-Hollistist Union in support of the republic . Edouard Balladur promised another member of his party, Jacques Chirac , that he would not qualify for the presidency. However, since all the polls showed him widespread support from the public and conservative politicians, he decided to run for office. As a result of this decision by Edouard Balladur, the rivalry between Balladur and Chirac became the main component of the 1995 presidential election.
At the same time, the left wing (primarily the Socialist Party) was significantly weakened by scandals and general disappointment with Mitterrand. In June 1994, former Prime Minister Michel Rocard lost his leadership in the Socialist Party after the failed results of elections to the European Parliament . Jacques Delors refused to nominate his candidacy from the joint venture due to disagreements with the new party leader, Henri Emmanuelli . The former Minister of Education, Lionel Jospin, was selected as a candidate for the election by SP.
The Communist Party tried to stop the fall of its influence. The new leader, Robert Yu, spoke out against the so-called. “Royal money” and wanted to present a renewed communism . His main rival on the far left was the Trotskyist candidate Arlette Lagiye , who participated in four presidential elections. Although both candidates showed better results for their parties compared with 1988 , this was clearly not enough to qualify for the second round. Green leader Dominique Vouinne also positioned her party on the left wing of the French political scene.
On the far right wing, Jean-Marie Le Pen tried to repeat the high results obtained in the previous elections (1988). His main rival was Philippe de Villiers , candidate of the right wing of the euro-skeptics.
In January 1995, at the nomination of his candidacy, Edouard Balladur was the leader of the right wing, ahead of Jacques Chirac by 14% (32 vs. 18%). It is believed that this was determined by his positively-rated work as prime minister and a moderately liberal economic stance. However, since March, Chirac has gradually reduced its gap with Balladur.
Chirac’s slogan was “ France for all ”; Balladur's slogan: “ Believe in France, ” and Jospin: “ Clean elections for fairer France .”
First Round
The first round took place on April 23, 1995 . 78.38% of registered voters participated.
| Candidate | The consignment | Vote | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Jospin | Socialist Party (PS) | 7,098,191 | 23.30% |
| Jacques Chirac | Republic Support Union (RPR) | 6,348,696 | 20.84% |
| Edouard Balladur | separated from the Republic Support Union (RPR) | 5,658,996 | 18.57% |
| Jean-marie le pen | National Front (FN) | 4,571,138 | 15.00% |
| Robert Yu | Communist Party (PCF) | 2,638,936 | 8.66% |
| Arlette Lagiye | Working Struggle (LO) | 1,615,653 | 5.30% |
| Philippe de Villiers | Movement for France (MPF) | 1,443,235 | 4.74% |
| Dominic Vouane | Greens | 1,010,738 | 3.32% |
| Jacques Cheminade | (associated with the LaRouch Movement ) | 84,969 | 0.28% |
| Total | 30,470,552 | 100 % | |
Lionel Jospin emerged victorious in the first round, which looked like the resurrection of the Socialist Party. His rival in the second round was Jacques Chirac, and not the Balladur, which was not expected before the elections. After his defeat, Balladur supported the candidacy from the Gaullist party (that is, Jacques Chirac). Jean-Marie Le Pen repeated his high score in the previous 1988 elections.
Second Round
During the pre-election debates, Jospin and Chirac disagreed on the length of the presidential term. Jospin advocated his reduction to 5 years, and Chirac insisted on 7 years. After that, Jospin said: “ The choice is either 5 years with me, or 7 years with Jacques Chirac, which (term) will be very long. "(Pun, since Chirac is very tall). In fact, the term was still reduced to 5 years in the next elections in 2002 .
The second round was held on May 7, 1995 . Attended 79.66% of registered voters.
| Candidate | The consignment | Vote | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacques Chirac | Republic Support Union (RPR) | 15,763,027 | 52.64% |
| Lionel Jospin | Socialist Party (PS) | 14,180,644 | 47.36% |
| Total | 29,943,671 | 100 % | |
Jacques Chirac was elected president of the French Republic. Edouard Balladur retired, and his place was taken by Alain Juppe, the Prime Minister.
See also
- French Presidential Election (2007)
- French Presidential Election (2002)
Links
- Présidentielles 1995 - Mangez des pommes! (iSubway Magazine)
- Contexte et résultats détaillés par La Documentation française .
- Vidéo de l'estimation du premier tour (INA)
- Vidéo de l'estimation du deuxieme tour (INA)