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Under which president is the death penalty abolished in France?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: François Mitterrand. The death penalty is abolished in 1981, under President François Mitterrand. Robert Badinter, his Minister of Justice, supported the law. It is written into the Constitution in 2007. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Focus sur la Vème République : l'abolition de la peine de mort” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Focus sur la Vème République : l'abolition de la peine de mort” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Charles de GaulleCharles de GaulleHe founds the Fifth Republic and ends the Algerian war.
- ✗ Georges PompidouGeorges PompidouHe modernises the country and supports European integration.
- ✗ Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'EstaingHe lowers the voting age to 18 and decriminalises abortion.
- ✓ François MitterrandFrançois MitterrandCorrect answer. The death penalty is abolished in 1981, under President François Mitterrand. Robert Badinter, his Minister of Justice, supported the law. It is written into the Constitution in 2007.
What the source says
« En 1981, sous la Vème République, la peine de mort est totalement abolie. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Sous quel président la peine de mort est-elle abolie en France ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR). The Ministry's wording: “Durant le mandat de quel président la peine de mort a-t-elle été abolie ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Focus sur la Vème République : l'abolition de la peine de mort” (French).
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