L'élection présidentielle de 1965

This is the first election of the president by direct universal suffrage since 1848. It stems from the 1962 constitutional revision. De Gaulle, the incumbent president, declares his candidacy late and campaigns little. Television plays a central role for the first time, notably benefiting Jean Lecanuet. Forced into a runoff, de Gaulle wins the second round against François Mitterrand, the sole candidate of the left.

Premier tour

• Charles de Gaulle : 44,65 %
• François Mitterrand : 31,72 %
• Jean Lecanuet : 15,57 %
• Jean-Louis Tixier-Vignancour : 5,2 %
• Pierre Marcilhacy : 1,71 %
• Marcel Barbu : 1,15 %

Second tour

• Charles de Gaulle : 55,2 %
• François Mitterrand : 44,8 %