De Gaulle Launches Election Campaign

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30901, 6 November 1965, Page 15

De Gaulle Launches Election Campaign

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyrights PARIS, Nov. 5. President de Gaulle, ageing but undaunted, last night gave the green light for the French Presidential election to begin in earnest.

After months of speculation he announced his decision to stand for another seven-year term of office. The 75 - year - old President came straight to the point in a terse, personal appeal on television for the nation’s support in the December 5 ballot.

“I believe it is my duty to hold myself ready to continue my task, knowing by experience the effort involved, but convinced that at present it

is the best way of serving France," he said. France’s future prosperity, he said in effect, was assured if he was its leader. Withouthim the country would collapse into chaos. NO ELABORATION De Gaulle’s election next month is taken for granted. Latest opinion polls published yesterday gave him up to 68 per cent of the votes, his Left-wing opponent Francois Mitterand 25 per cent and the combined other four opposition men only 7 per cent.

De Gaulle did not elaborate on the reasons why he had decided to stay on. Unofficially, however, it is

known that the Common Market crisis and the impending dispute with the United States over the reorganisation of the Atlantic alliance are the key factors.

One of his closest associates recently indicated that before the Common Market crisis there had been - good chance that de Gaulle might retire. But when that crisis broke and France’s will was challenged by her European allies, he began to revise his intentions. STRONGEST OPPONENT When it became clear that the United States would not accept the down grading of N.A.T.O. without a fight, a second term became inevitable in the President's mind. De Gaulle's strongest opponent is Francois Mitterand. who has the support of the Communists and the nonCommunist Left. Senator Jean Lecanuet, representing the Popular Re publican movement, a middle of-the-road Catholic party, and other groups of the Centre, is also expected to win support. MORE ADDRESSES The President is expected to address the nation on one or two evenings between now and election day. But he does not propose to enter into detailed debate with his five opponents. He regards them as embodying a system of government that has brought France nothing but weakness and defeat. Mitterand said in Lyons last night: “As the candidate of progress, I shall fight de Gaulle because he remains the spokesman of the century of his birth.” The Extreme Right-wing candidate, Jean Tixier Vignancour, commented: "General de Gaulle has had the impudence to link his remaining in power with the future of France." NO COMMENT Moscow radio reported the General's decision within minutes of his announcement, but neither the radio nor Tass news agency made any comment. In Washington, officials expect that the General's reelection will lead to proposals by him for reorganisation of N.A.T.O. and a loosening of the alliance's present military structure—a step opposed by the United States.

British newspapers generally welcomed de Gaulle’s decision to stand for a second term of office.