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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Coluche 1981” is a common card of the Memes FR pack, number 1436 of the collection, and the 753rd best-known meme of its 3493 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Coluche 1981” meme mean?
The meme channels the rebellious spirit of Coluche, a comedian who pitched himself as the candidate of everyone who felt ignored by politics. People post it to mock politicians, to say they would happily vote for someone who talks straight, or to salute popular, provocative humour. The deliberately crude line on the card borrows that campaign register of speaking to everyone together against the powerful. It also works as a comment on elections in general: each vote brings back the “vote Coluche” joke as a nostalgic nod to a time when a comic shook up the political game.
Where does the “Coluche 1981” meme come from?
On 30 October 1980, Coluche held a press conference and announced he would run in France's 1981 presidential election. His slogans, such as “Before me, France was cut in two; now it will be folded in four”, mixed humour with criticism of politicians. Intellectuals including Pierre Bourdieu, Félix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze backed him. A widely discussed poll gave him 16 percent of voting intentions, then his numbers fell to about 7 percent in January 1981 and 5.5 percent the month after. On 16 March 1981 he announced he was leaving the race. François Mitterrand won the election on 10 May 1981. Archive footage from the INA, including the press conference and interviews of the time, still circulates online and keeps the campaign alive in memory.
- 30 October 1980Coluche announces his candidacy for the 1981 presidential election at a press conference.
- January 1981His polling falls to about 7 percent.
- 16 March 1981He announces his withdrawal from the race.
- 10 May 1981François Mitterrand is elected president.
How to use the “Coluche 1981” meme
- Post the image on election night to mock the candidates.
- Reply “Coluche would have done better” to a political row.
- Tease a friend promising to change the world by suggesting they run.
- Pair an INA archive clip with a comment about campaign humour.
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The “Coluche 1981” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 1436 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | Memes FR pack |
| Fame | 50/100 · #753 of 3493 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
| Suggested by | @lacb12 |
How to get the “Coluche 1981” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Coluche 1981 comes out of the Memes FR pack as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
The reprint of the “Coluche 1981” card
The “Coluche 1981” card was reprinted as Rare (No. 2,383). A reprint is the same meme printed again, with a number of its own and a higher rarity than its first printing, which was common. Its face reads “Reprinted card · Higher rarity”.
Every printing is dealt in the packs of the Memes FR pack, each at its own rarity: the higher it is, the rarer the card is to pull. Copies of the first printing already pulled stay as they are, and any printing counts toward completing a set.
MyMemeCards reprints a meme when it deserves more than the rarity of its first printing, such as a classic that became iconic after it came out: the reprint gives it a place among the most sought-after cards without taking anything from the players who already had it.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Coluche 1981”
More cards of the Memes FR pack
Frequently asked questions
Did Coluche really run for president in 1981?
He announced his candidacy on 30 October 1980 and campaigned, then withdrew on 16 March 1981, so he never stood on the ballot.
What did Coluche score in the polls?
One widely noted poll gave him 16 percent. His numbers then fell to about 7 percent in January 1981 and 5.5 percent a month later.
Who won the 1981 French presidential election?
François Mitterrand, elected on 10 May 1981.
How do I get the Coluche 1981 meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Coluche 1981” is a common card of the Memes FR pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Coluche 1981 card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Wikipédia — Coluche · checked on October 18, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.