PRESIDENCY ABOVE PARTY SYSTEM, SAYS POMPIDOU

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32010, 10 June 1969, Page 17

PRESIDENCY ABOVE PARTY SYSTEM, SAYS POMPIDOU

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) PARIS, June 9. Mr Georges Pompidou said in an interview published in Paris today that he would leave the Gaullist Party if he were elected President of France. The former Prime Minister told the Paris newspaper,

“L’Aurore,” that he would take such action to be above the party system. Mr Pompidou, who was Prime Minister from 1962 to 1968, said that one sevenyear term was enough for any French President at present. “At the present time, whatever the value of a Head of State, the French would hardly put up with his remaining in power longer.” he suggested. Mr Pompidou also said that,

if elected, his most urgent concern would be “to seek out and smash anything that might exist in the way of parallel police or secret armed organisations.” The existence of a secret “parallel police” organisation was alleged last Friday by Mr Pompidou’s rival, the Centrist candidate, Mr Alain Poher, who promised to expose secret files this week. Mr Poher, who is France’s interim President, said in a newspaper interview today that Mr Pompidou was tnnng to make the State a private preserve. “Mr Pompidou, by the policy of false prestige that he still advocates, leads the country to bankruptcy and the French to unemployment.” he told the provincial newspaper, “La Nouvelle Republique due Centre Ouest.” Mr Poher’s attacks on Mr Pompidou mark a drastic change in his tactics as the Presidential campaign enters its final stages. After presenting himself in easy-going style as the candidate of reconciliation, he is now fighting as the candidate of change. This apparently results from a change in voting opinions since lafet month, when

public opinion polls made him the favourite over Mr Pompidou. He polled only 23 per cent in the first-round voting a week ago, compared with the Gaullist’s 44 per cent; and opinion-soundings since then show him losing by about 58 to 42 per cent next Sunday. Mr Pompidou has also reacted to the change in fortunes. After a hard-hitting campaign in the early stages, he has now begun to adopt a more relaxed and reassuring style.