ELECTIONS IN FRANCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3869, 8 May 1928, Page 31

ELECTIONS IN FRANCE

THE STATE OF PARTIES. PREDOMINANTLY REPUBLICAN. PARIS, April 30. With one seat not yet filled, the state 1 of parties is as follows: — Republicans 145 Radicals 123 Left Republicans ~ ~ 106 Socialists iqj Republican Radicals .. .. 55 Republican Socialists .. 47 Conservatives 15 Communists 14 Regionalists 3 Socialist Communists .. 2 CONFIDENCE IN M. POINCARE. PARIS, April 30. The election results show definitely confidence in M. Poincare and his policy. His supporters number at least 340, and the result shows a most moderate movement of public opinion from the extremists and the Left Centre toward the Right Centre. It is a victory for the elements of moderation, and the verdict is in favour of order and security at home and abroad. It is thought that the restoration of confidence, which is reflected in the financial world, will be maintained. The elections show that France is internally predominantly Republican, and anxious to avoid extremes and experiments of any kind. COMMUNISTS LOSE EIGHT SEATS. PARIS. May 1. It is not yet possible to estimate accurately the grouping of the new Chamber, as it contains 28 more deputies than the last one, but the centre right is apparently 338 strong, compared with 269 last election, to which is to be added a good proportion of Radical Socialists, who support M. Poincare. M. Poincare’s chief difficulty, in the near future, may be resisting pressure from his right wing. The notorious red girdle of Parisian Communists will no longer be vociferous, as only nine have been elected instead of 17. Those defeated, moreover, comprise prominent militants such as Marty Garchery and Renaud Jean. The Communists, however, polled largely in the first ballot, but the chief reason for their defeat is their refusal to co-operate with the Socialists. Certainly M. Poincare will be able to continue financial restoration, which is the subject of congratulation on the Bourse and in business quarters. SUPPORTERS OF M. POINCARE. M. Sarraut (Minister of the Interior), in a statement, says that 460 of the 612 elected deputies have declared themselves general supporters of M. Poincare, who can continually depend on a solid body of at least 370. MINISTER OF LABOUR DEFEATED. PARIS, May 1. M. Fallieres has resigned the Ministry of Labour owing to his failure to secure re-election.