COMMUNIST REJECTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22198, 7 December 1946, Page 7

COMMUNIST REJECTED

PREMIERSHIP POST FRENCH ASSEMBLY VOTE LONDON, Dec. 5. In the first of what may prove to be a series of elections, the French National Assembly yesterday rejected the Communist leader, M. Maurice Thorez, as a candidate for the Premiership. The Times correspondent in Paris says .that out of 575 votes recorded, 259 were for M. Thorez and two for M. Le Troquer. who is not, in fact, a candidate. Three hundred and eighteen voting papers were returned blank. The bulk of the Socialist votes thus went to M. Thorez as the previous night’s national council of the Socialist Party had decided, while the M.R.P., the Centre and Right parties, abstained. As constitutionally the Prime Minister must be elected by an absolute majority of all members of the Assembly voting or not voting, namely, by 310 votes M Thorez’s candidature failed. The Assembly thereupon adjourned until to-day when other candidates will be presented. The Communist Party’s political bureau decided that the Communists will neither participate nor support a coalition Government if it is headed by a member of the M.R.P., but would continue efforts to form a coalition of the working and democratic forces of France.

In the second ballot for the premiership the M.R.P. candidate. M. Bidault. failed to obtain the minimum of 310 votes required for re-election M. Bidault, who was supported by M.R.P. and Rightists received 240 votes. The Communists, Socialists and Radical Socialists abstained. Earlier, M. Thorez withdrew as Premiership candidate. ELECTION DEFERRED PARIS. Dec. 5. The National Assembly has deferred its third attempt to elect a Premier until December 10. M. Harriot was elected to the French Academy.