Mitterrand, Francois (1916 - 96)

: Francois Mitterand

Mitterrand, Francois (1916 - 96)

French President from 1981 to 1995, who pushed through the Treaty of Maastricht with his personal friend Helmut Kohl. With Kohl he also created the military “Eurocorps”.

Mitterand was against German reunification but he accepted it under the condition that Germany would share political power with France through deepened integration.

Following the Danish "No" to the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, Mitterrand wanted to prove that the Treaty would have vast support in France. But in a referendum in September 1992, the Treaty only managed to attract a 51% support.

Although the Maastricht Treaty was ratified by France, it still strengthened anti-federalist and sovereignist sentiments.

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