“National Union” Group May Now Rule In France

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27859, 6 January 1956, Page 9

“National Union” Group May Now Rule In France

PARIS, January 4. The French Prime Minister (Mr idgar Faure) said today that he favoured the formation of a ‘‘Government of National Union.” including all groups from the Socialists to the Conservatives. after the indecisive election. Mr Faure said he ■ had noticed no major differences in the policies advocated by the main parties during the election campaign. There seemed to be room for a wide agreement among the hon-extremist parties. A national Government should therefore be formed with an urgent twopoint programme—constitutional reform, and a solution to the Algerian problem.

Mr Faure said a government of union was essential even if it were only temporary and confined to the carrying through of the two-point Policy Two possible patterns of governatent emerged to-night from the chaos of the French election—a reconciliation °f the moderate Left and Right or a new popular front including the Communists. Most observers expect the tormer-—a ‘Government of National hea <ied by a Socialist. The Socialists are hostile to any •ibance with the Communists, the bigtest single party in the new House. Mr Mendes-Fram e, the “New Deails given l?t!e chance of becomPrime Minister His rival, Mr e, the outgoing Prime Minister, today: “It won f be me.” Three possible Socialist choices for iob are Mr Paul Ramadier. aged a former Prime Minister, who squeezed the Communists out of the government in May. 1947, Mr Guy JJohet, aged 59. the official leader of ■ kzi Pa - rty anfl Mr Christian Pineau. 52. who nearly became Prime

Minister a year ago in succession to Mr Mendes-France. A “National Union” Government would have as its objects:

To reform the Parliamentary system to try to prevent the further growth of anti-parliamentary sentiment. To promote a peaceful settlement in Algeria. To raise wages and continue the drive for higher productivity. Mr Pillay’s Position

Mr Antoine Pinay, at present Foreign Minister, is the natural leader of the moderate Right and a possible candidate for Prime Minister.

Ready to serve if other plans fail are two Popular Republican (Catholic! leaders, Mr Robert Schuman, twice Prime Minister since the war, and Foreign Minister continuously from July, 1948. to December. 1953, and Mr Pierre Pflimlin, aged 47, at present Finance Minister, who is regarded as the “New Dealer” of the party. The French Cabinet met under President Rene Coty today to hear reports on the elections An official spokesman said the Government could resign only after the new Assembly had met on January 19 and elected its officers. For this reason, the Government did not accept the resignations offered by one Minister and two State Secretaries defeated on Monday. The Minister of Defence (General Pierre Billotte), the Secretary of State at the Foreign Office (Mr Jean Chamonti. and the Secretary of State at the Prime Minister's Office (Mr Jean Lecan’.et) were not re-elected on Monday. The Government has asked them to carry on until the new Government is formed.