Presidential shocker in 1965: De Gaulle forced into runoff election

The 1965 French presidential election saw a dramatic upset when Charles de Gaulle, the sitting president, was forced into a runoff. This was the first direct presidential election in France since 1848, when Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte was elected. De Gaulle, a towering historical figure who had led France during World War II and founded the Fifth Republic, initially did not want to campaign. He considered public campaigning and television appearances beneath his dignity, famously referring to them as appearing "in pajamas."

What was expected to be a formality turned into a major political setback. De Gaulle's unexpected placement in a runoff election sent shockwaves through the nation. This event is highlighted as the first major twist in the current presidential campaign, following the verdict in Marine Le Pen's appeal trial. It also fits into a long tradition of presidential election surprises that the publication is exploring in a series of historical articles.