1988 French Presidential Election

24 April 1988 and 8 May 1988 · The age of alternance · direct two-round vote

In 1981, the Socialist Party leader, François Mitterrand, was elected President of France and the Left won the legislative election. However, in 1986, the right regained a parliamentary majority.

President before

François Mitterrand

President (re-elected)

François Mitterrand

Winning share

54.0%

second round

Turnout

81.4%

second round 84.1%

The result

Sort by

François Mitterrand

Socialist Party · 10 367 220 votes

54.02%

second round

Jacques Chirac

Rally for the Republic · 6 063 514 votes

45.98%

second round

Raymond Barre

Union for French Democracy · 5 031 849 votes

16.55%

first round

Jean-Marie Le Pen

National Front · 4 375 894 votes

14.39%

first round

André Lajoinie

French Communist Party · 2 055 995 votes

6.76%

first round

Antoine Waechter

The Greens · 1 149 642 votes

3.78%

first round

Pierre Juquin

Independent communist · 639 084 votes

2.10%

first round

Arlette Laguiller

Workers' Struggle · 606 017 votes

1.99%

first round

Pierre Boussel

Movement for a Workers' Party · 116 823 votes

0.38%

first round


François Mitterrand	Socialist Party	10 367 220	34.10%	16 704 279	54.02%
Jacques Chirac	Rally for the Republic	6 063 514	19.94%	14 218 970	45.98%
Raymond Barre	Union for French Democracy	5 031 849	16.55%	—	—
Jean-Marie Le Pen	National Front	4 375 894	14.39%	—	—
André Lajoinie	French Communist Party	2 055 995	6.76%	—	—
Antoine Waechter	The Greens	1 149 642	3.78%	—	—
Pierre Juquin	Independent communist	639 084	2.10%	—	—
Arlette Laguiller	Workers' Struggle	606 017	1.99%	—	—
Pierre Boussel	Movement for a Workers' Party	116 823	0.38%	—	—