Under President François Mitterrand's administration, the abolition of capital punishment in France marked a profound change in the nation's legal and moral landscape. Mitterrand's government aimed to promote social justice and human rights, leading to the introduction of a bill to abolish the death penalty in 1981. After vigorous discussions in both the National Assembly and the Senate, the legislation was passed with a clear majority, emphasizing the democratic foundation and progressive values of the new socialist government. The move generated significant public discourse about the ethics of capital punishment and its place within modern society.

The law, formally abolishing the death penalty, came at a time when many European nations were moving towards more humane forms of justice. France's decision was influenced by broader international trends, including the growing opposition to capital punishment among human rights organizations. Mitterrand's administration argued that the death penalty was not a deterrent to crime and emphasized rehabilitation over retribution as a guiding principle of the justice system. The law's enactment was highly symbolic, positioning France among a select group of nations that had outlawed capital punishment, aligning it with a growing consensus on human rights.

In the wake of this legislative change, Mitterrand's government faced the challenge of implementing reforms within the judicial system, focusing on improving prison conditions and ensuring fair trials. The abolition of capital punishment has had lasting effects on France's criminal justice system, altering the perception of justice in the country. Over time, this decision has contributed to ongoing discussions about reforming justice policies, including debates on life imprisonment and the treatment of convicts. Today, France remains an influential advocate for the global abolition of the death penalty.