François Mitterrand

Mitterrand's presidency backed the 1982 nationalisation programme implemented by Pierre Mauroy's government. Five major industrial groups, including Saint-Gobain and Thomson-Brandt, moved into public ownership alongside banking interests. The aim was to give government stronger tools for restructuring and directing investment. His case concerns a deliberate enlargement of the state's industrial portfolio, with ministers, Parliament and company management sharing the work. Ownership alone could not remove financing constraints or competition abroad.