Legislative elections were held in France on 21 August and 4 September 1881. The elections marked the collapse of the right compared to the 1877 elections.

Quick Facts All 545 seats in the Chamber of Deputies 273 seats needed for a majority, First party ...

1881 French legislative election

← 1877 21 August and 4 September 1881 1885 →
All 545 seats in the Chamber of Deputies 273 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Léon Gambetta Jules Ferry Party Republican Union Republican Left Seats won 204 168   Third party Fourth party   Leader Georges-Eugène Haussmann Louis Blanc Party Bonapartists Far-left Seats won 46 46
Prime Minister before election Jules Ferry Republican Left Elected Prime Minister Léon Gambetta Republican Union

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It was a great success for the followers of Léon Gambetta, whom President Jules Grévy appointed premier two months after the election. His government only lasted 73 days, however, before falling over the issue of electoral reform.^[1] This led to three short-lived minority governments, until Jules Ferry was able to form a second government in February 1883 with the support of Gambetta's Republican Union.