POLLS IN FRANCE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29989, 26 November 1962, Page 15

POLLS IN FRANCE

Gaullists v. The Rest (N.Z.P.A.-R<natr— Copyright) PARIS, November 25. France turns out to vote for the second Sunday in a row today, completing the National Assembly elections begun last week. Success for the Gaullists is considered a foregone conclusion after sweeping victories in the first round of voting a week ago, which exceeded the most optimistic forecasts by Gaullist party leaders. Political commentators present the issue today as whether, for the first time in French history, a single party will secure an Assembly majority without having to rely on alliances with other party groups. For this the Gaullists require 242 seats in the 482meiuber National Assembly. Last Sunday they secured 45 out of the 96 metropolitan seats decided outright, without counting some 15 others from parties pledged to back President de Gaulle. They also won three of nine overseas seats decided. The traditional parties are strictly on the defensive, after failing to rally the country to their theme that de Gaulle is grouping too much power in his own hands.

The constituencies polling today are those in which no candidate last week secured a clear majority. Today, whoever heads the poll in a constituency is elected. It is overwhelmingly a question of the Gaullists against the rest. Many candidates have withdrawn to avoid splitting the antiGaullist vote. In 91 constituencies of the 369 at stake it is a straight flight between a Gaullist and a Communist. In 89 others it is a straight fight between a Gaullist and candidates mostly Socialist who have been promised Communist votes.