Socialists may gain surprise allies

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 6

Socialists may gain surprise allies

NZPA-Reuter Paris A potential partner for France’s new Socialist minority Government has emerged from a split in opposition Conservative ranks following last Sunday’s election stalemate. While denying it would “be a source of backing for the Socialist Party,” the 52-member Social Democratic Centre Party on Wednesday defied the warnings of fellow Conservatives and broke away to form a fully independent Parliamentary group. The Government of the Prime Minister, Michel Rocard, which fell short of a majority in the vote, needs 13 seats to control the 577-seat National Assembly without relying on the Communist Party, which has 27 deputies. The Socialist President, Francois Mitterrand, is seeking the support of

Centrists such as the new group, with the long-term aim of forming a CentreLeft governing alliance. In a brief speech to the nation on Tuesday, he said the form of government practised in West Germany, where a small Centrist party makes up the missing Parliamentary weight for. the senior party, would be perfectly acceptable for France. One leading Conservative, ' regretting the breakaway, said it was a shame that the Opposition’s "first act after the election will be one of disunity.” : '

The Rocard Government had ho official comment on the move. No coalition is foreseen in the near future, which means Mr Rocard will have to govern day-by-day and bill-by-bill once his new Administration is installed after June 23.