President François Mitterrand and leader of the Socialist Party held power since May 1981.
The left-wing coalition of the Socialists and Communists, in power for only two years, was defeated in the 1983 local elections by the RPR-UDF right-wing opposition.
Voter disillusionment with Pierre Mauroy government's tournant de la rigueur ("austerity turn") played a key role in the defeat.
They narrowly held Marseille (with Gaston Defferre) against Jean-Claude Gaudin (UDF).
In Paris, RPR Leader Jacques Chirac was easily re-elected, sweeping all arrondissements.