BACKING FOR MOLLET

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 13

BACKING FOR MOLLET

Confidence Vote In France

(N.Z,. ' Press (Rec. 11 p.m.) PARIS, June 6. Th* National Assembly backed the French Government’s plan for massive Army .action to restore peace in Algeria when it gave the Socialist Prime Minister, Mr Mollet. a vote of confidence, by 271 votes to 59, it was announced early today.

However, 200 members, more than a third of those voting, abstained. A total of 135 Communists did not vote after deciding, according to wellinformed sources, that it was too early for an open break with the Socialists, with whom they have been trying to form a “Popular Front” grouping. The Communist leader, Mr Jacques Duclos, is reported to have told them that Socialist members will themselves become restive when they see their chiefs conducting warfare in Algeria. The motion, which expressed confidence in Government policy in North Africa and at home, came at the end of a debate which showed that the overwhelming majority of t£e Assembly was determined to support action to maintain France’s right to stay in Algeria in spite of the Nationalist campaign there.

This backing was not fully reflected in the voting figures because some Conservatives were “dissatisfied about the Government’s attitude to newlyindependent Morocco and Tunisia, former protectorates now negotiating with France on their future relationship. The 59 votes against the Govern-’ ment included those of 39 Poujadists.