François Mitterrand, prince of ambiguity

Le Regard Libre N° 26 - Nicolas Jutzet

The life of this Charentais from the Nièvre region is certainly a romantic one, full of intrigue and Machiavellian maneuvers. He leaves a hazy image, with shadowy areas quickly forgotten by those who, even today, manage to pride themselves on being Mitterrandists. One constant emerges: his actions are tirelessly guided by a thirst for power that will eventually see him triumph over death. Clearly, politics takes precedence over ideology; he's not system-oriented. For him, the end often justifies the means.

Mitterrand would not be Mitterrand if his career had consisted solely of scheming and underhanded tactics. This man demonstrated bravery and eloquence, never hesitating to confront the people or the opposition when France’s greater good seemed to warrant it. A courage that is lacking today among those he once dismissed as insignificant—