110 Propositions for France (
French: 110 Propositions pour la France) was the
Socialist Party's program for the
1981 presidential election during which the Socialist Party's candidate,
François Mitterrand, was elected by 51.76% of the people. This program influenced significantly the policies enacted during Mitterrand's two terms (1981–88 and 1988–95).
The 6th Proposition called for "progressive and simultaneous
disarmament in order to dissolve military blocs" with the maintenance of the "military balance."
The 11th Proposition called for the "strict application of the
Treaty of Rome" of 1957, the reinforcement of "democratisation of [European] institutions", the "defense of
employment in Europe" by the establishment of "common industrial policies" and "
protection of sectors" threatened by Japanese and American products, and the establishment of common European regulations concerning the activities of
multinational corporations.
The social and economic program was dominated by
Keynesian measures.
The 16th Proposition called for a "program of
public works" and the construction of
social housing and communal facilities (
nursery schools, school restaurants, etc.).
The 17th Proposition called for the "stimulation of
research," with the aim of having this sector represent 2.5% of GNP by 1985. It also aimed at supporting
small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) by facilitating
credit and encouraging
innovation.
The 18th Proposition called for the creation of 150,000 jobs in the
public sector in order to improve conditions of public access to
healthcare,
education, and the
postal service. 60,000 jobs should be created to assist
NGOs and local administrations.
The 19th Proposition defined "social growth" as resting on the "dynamism of the public sector", the "encouragement of
investment", the increase of low incomes and improvement of labour conditions.
The 20th Proposition called for "the defense of the
Franc against
speculation," while "industrial and agricultural development" was to render growth less dependent on
imports. The role of
foreign trade in the
GDP was to be decreased to 20% by 1990.
The 22nd Proposition called for the
CDI (Contrat à durée indéterminée, Indeterminate Length Contract) to become the base of labour relations, as well as for the extension of
trade unions' capacities for involvement in businesses (protection of trade unions' representatives, etc.)
The 23rd proposition on the reduction of
working time to 35 hours was partly enacted: the legal workweek (excluding
overtime, paid at a higher rate) was reduced to 39 hours in 1982. The Socialist Party (PS) would enact the 35-hour workweek only in 2000, during
Lionel Jospin's
Plural Left government, with the
Aubry laws.
The 26th Proposition called for encouragement of
savings, in particular by the establishment of the
Livret A.
The 27th Proposition called for financial incentives to assist in the realization of the economic and social policies' aims.
The 28th Proposition called for
price controls where competition "obviously does not work" (
price gouging). The construction of
supermarkets would be regulated.
The 35th Proposition called for the reduction of direct taxation on lower incomes and its increase for high incomes.
Other domestic issues
The 45th Proposition envisioned either the reduction of the presidential
term of office to five years, or the retention of the seven-year term with a ban on re-election. This proposition was not enacted by Mitterrand: indeed, he won re-election in 1988 and served another seven-year term. However, the presidential term was eventually reduced to five years after the
2000 referendum called for by former president Chirac.
The 47th Proposition on
proportional representation and on the inclusion of 30% of women on each
electoral list led to the introduction of proportional representation for legislative elections. However, this measure was ultimately applied only for the
1986 general elections.
The 52nd Proposition called for the repealing of exceptional judicial procedures (Cour de sûreté, created in 1963 to try crimes against
national security;
courts-martial in peacetime), as well as for the repeal of the 1970 Anti-rioter Act and of the
Peyrefitte law. These measures were implemented by Justice Minister
Robert Badinter.
The 94th Proposition called for the decentralization and pluralisation of TV and radio and for the creation of a Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) on which the representatives of the government would be a minority. The rights of cibistes (
citizens band radio users) would be recognized.
The 95th Proposition called for a "guarantee of the independence of the
Agence France-Presse toward the state" and for the application of the 1944 measures on the press.
The 96th Proposition called for the prohibition of any kind of
censorship, including in barracks and prisons.
The 97th, 98th and 99th Propositions stressed the importance of research and
culture (cinematic, theatrical, architectural, musical creations, etc.).
The 100th Proposition proposed the abolition of the "price liberalization of books". The 1981
Lang Law enacted it by imposing a single fixed price on books, whatever the retailer (large retailers such as
Fnac had to sell books at the same price as small, individual booksellers).
The 104th Proposition called for the independence of
sports from the "powers of money and of the state", thus following
Léo Lagrange's insight during the
Popular Front.