France: He Really Meant It

True to his word, Mitterrand moves to nationalize key companies François Mitterrand intends to be remembered as a man who keeps his promises. Since his election last May, France's Socialist President has launched proposals to increase public benefits, raise taxes on the rich, return power to local governments, abolish the death penalty and slow down the West's most advanced nuclear energy program. Last week, fulfilling a pledge so controversial that many Frenchmen thought Mitterrand might actually back off, his ministers approved the most sweeping takeover of private industry seen in Europe since...

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