1988 French Legislative Election
5 and 12 June 1988 · The Fifth Republic · 577 seats, 289 for a majority
In 1986, the Socialist Party (PS) of President Mitterrand lost the legislative election. For the first time under the Fifth Republic, the President was forced to "cohabit" with a hostile parliamentary majority and cabinet.
Held in wartime. This election took place while the country was engaged in Western Sahara War (1975–1991). Conflicts →
Prime Minister before
Jacques Chirac
RPR
Prime Minister after
Michel Rocard
PS
Largest force
PS
262 of 577 seats
Turnout
65.7%
The result
PS
Michel Rocard · 34.8% of votes · +56 seats
262
seats
PCF
Georges Marchais · 11.3% of votes · -8 seats
27
seats
FN
Jean-Marie Le Pen · -34 seats
1
seats
287 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.