President Mitterrand Quotes & Sayings

Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had huge charisma. But before he was president they used to call him badly dressed, old, archaic and say he knew nothing about the economy ... until the day he was elected. It's called universal suffrage. When you're elected, you become the person that embodies France. — Francois Hollande

In one of his last appearances, Mitterrand, the agnostic president, was asked what the real God might say to him if he went to heaven. God would say: "At last, you know." And I would hope that He would add, "Welcome." — Francois Mitterrand

Mitterrand had a sense for symbols, and he was the first Socialist president since 1958. He wanted to show that there is historical continuity, a connection with the great figures of French history. — Francois Hollande

I gave myself an objective, to be the second president from Correze and finally to be the successor to Francois Mitterrand. — Francois Hollande

I think the career of President Mitterrand, which was rather sensational when it was revealed, is probably very typical. — Robert O. Paxton

During Mr. Reagan's trip to Europe ... members of the traveling press corps watched him doze off so many times
during speeches by French President Francois Mitterrand and Italian President Alessandro Pertini, as well as during a one-on-one audience with the Pope
that they privately christened the trip 'The Big Sleep.' — Mark Hertsgaard