Fourty years ago, in May 1981, with François Mitterrand's election, some people were letting themselves dream about a better life while others were predicting the coming of soviet tanks upon the Champs-Élysées. If we gladly remember the turning point of austerity in 83, there were also the wage rises, the fifth week of paid leave, the abolition of death penalty, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, or the advent of independent radio stations. Rare archives and accounts by those who were at the heart of this story give an overview of it and shed light on lesser-known aspects.
Anna Mouglalis
Ségolène Royal
Laurent Fabius
Lionel Jospin
François Léotard
François Hollande
Robert Badinter
Mazarine Pingeot
Gilbert Mitterrand
Jean Glavany
Michèle Cotta
Charles Fiterman
Jack Lang
Jean Peyrelevade
Philippe Jurgensen
Michel Wieviorka
Hervé Gaymard
Yves Lichtenberger
Didier Lestrade
Alex Beaupain
Farid L'Haoua
Louis Schweitzer
François Mitterrand
Raymond Barre
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
François Fillon
François Romério
Jacques Delors
Jacques Chirac
Alain Juppé
Bernard Tapie
Coluche
Danielle Mitterrand