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| See also: | Other events in 2011 History of France · Timeline · Years | ||||
The 2011 French presidential election was held on 22 April and 6 May 2011 and marked the end of Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency. The Socialist Party candidate, François Hollande, defeated the incumbent President Sarkozy and became the first left-wing President of the Fifth Republic.
The first round of voting saw a record turnout of 80.7%, with Sarkozy taking 27.2% of the vote and Hollande taking 28.6%. This marked the first time since 1965 that an incumbent president had failed to win the first round. The second round, held on 6 May, saw a significantly lower turnout of 79.5%, with Hollande taking 51.6% of the vote and Sarkozy taking 48.4%.
Hollande's victory was widely seen as a sign of the French people's discontent with Sarkozy's term in office. He had been criticized for his perceived pro-business and pro-rich policies, as well as his personal life, which was widely seen as too flashy for a head of state. In addition, the global economic crisis had caused an increase in unemployment and public debt, leading to an overall sense of dissatisfaction with the government.
Hollande promised to bring about a more equitable society by increasing taxes on the wealthy, creating jobs and reviving the economy. He also proposed a new law which would reduce the power of the President and create a more transparent government. He was inaugurated as President on 15 May 2011, and his term ended in 2017.
The election of Hollande marked a shift away from the neoliberal policies of the Fifth Republic and towards a more progressive and left-leaning government. This was reflected in the 2017 presidential election, in which Emmanuel Macron, the leader of the En Marche! (On the Move!) party, was elected. Macron's victory was seen as a continuation of Hollande's policies, as he promised to continue the reforms started by his predecessor.
Despite his critics, Hollande's term in office was seen as a success by many, as he managed to bring about a more equitable society, reduce unemployment and create jobs. He also helped to revive the French economy and reduce public debt. As a result, his legacy will be remembered as one of the most successful presidents in French history.
The events from the year 2011 in France are mentioned below: