PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25086, 18 January 1947, Page 9

PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

SOCIALIST CANDIDATE ELECTED

CARETAKER CABINET RESIGNS (Rec. 7 p.m.) PARIS, Jan. 17. Mr Vincent Auriol, the Socialist candidate, has been elected President of France. Balloting for the president was held in the palace at Versailles, when about 800 members of the two legislative bodies were in joint session. The names of six candidates were submitted, including two “freak” candidates—Ferdinand Loppe, a well-known figure in the students’ quarter of Paris, who has been a candidate at every presidential election for the last 20 years, and a radiologist, Dr. Edmond Dubois, a former parliamentary candidate; Other candidates were Mr Champetier de Ribes (M.R.P.), Mr Jules Gasser (Radical), and Mr Michel Clemenceau, a son of the famous Clemenceau. The result was decided by an absolute majority of the votes cast. Mr Auriol had a small majority over the combined votes of the other candidates, and the runner-up was a long way behind. A correspondent says that the Socialists and Communists greeted the results of the election with great enthusiasm, but the Right Wing received the news in silence. Afterwards, however, when the whole gathering rose, most of those present sang the Marseillaise. Two days ago, the successful candidate was chosen as president of the National Assembly, the Lower House of the French Parliament. Now that he has been made President of France, the Assembly will have to choose another president. Mr Leon Blum’s Socialist caretaker government has tendered its resignation to Mr Auriol. Mr Auriol’s first task is to decide whom to ask to form a new government, which will be the first under the constitution of the Fourth Republic. He may not do this until January 18 or 20, since the ceremonial inauguration of the new presidential term will take place today. In the meantime, Mr Blum’s government continues as caretaker.