1974: François Mitterrand v Valéry Giscard d’EstaingFrance’s first live presidential debate pitted the first secretary of the Socialist party against the centrist finance minister. Giscard replied: “You do not have a monopoly on the heart, Mr Mitterrand.”Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (left) and François Mitterrand get ready for a TV election debate in May 1974. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images1981: Mitterrand v GiscardThe two met again seven years later, with Mitterrand out for revenge. 1988: Mitterrand v Jacques ChiracHimself the incumbent, Mitterrand in 1988 faced off against his centre-right prime minister. Lionel Jospin (left) and Jacques Chirac attend a TV debate four days before the second round of the presidential election in 1995.

Source: The Guardian April 20, 2022 20:54 UTC