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Balladur Supporters Perplexed. (Balladur quits election victory party at 21.20 Paris time)
Latest Estimate - about 23:15 - / several polling orgs :
1st : Lionel Jospin 23.7 percent
2nd : Jacgues Chirac 20.4 percent
Out : Edouard Balladur 19.1 percent
Jean-Marie Le Pen 14.9 percent - down 0.8 - (Crypto Fascist)
Robert Hue 8.5 percent - down 0.3 - (French Communist Party)
Following two weeks to be classic fight right versus left, RPR expected to
swing in behind Chirac; perhaps picking up fascist, nationalist, racist
vote. Communists under energetic and pragmatic new leader Robert Hue made
important gains although not into double-digits; will pull out all stops to
support Jospin. Ecolos,
greenies, will/won't according to principles. A lot of protest vote for Le
Pen was in past ex-communist, could go to Jospin. Extreme right-wing and
Trotskyists might sit out election - each had about 5 percent of tonight's
vote. Talk of 'Maastricht' (sic) victory probably premature as well as
untrue.
Continuing three million unemployed probably exasperated by Balladur and his wonderful economic recovery thatleft them untouched. Statistically low inflation rate not reflected in steadily rising costs of basics: baguettes, 5 franc 50 cafe, cigarettes, bus tickets, and staple groceries. Reflected more in dropping salaries, underemployment, and repreated assaults on minimum wage, especially for young.
Jospin, long-time socialist party secretary, is seen as genuinely concerned about unequalities of French society. Untouched by recent relentless bribery scandals. Will have backing of socialist biggies; Jacques Delors (who declined to run), Michel Rocard (who ran but quit), Laurent Fabius, and Pierre Mauroy (sic), socialist boss of Lille. Three ex-prime ministers and ex-head of Europe. Could torpedo self with promotion of shorter work-week.
Job of president of France not for oldline-party-hack politicians. Has to be not only leader of French (rather than of party), but more importantly, must have moral authority; speak for all French. Definitely takes a 'special' type of man - or woman. Simone Veil (sic) if she had run, would have had a genuine chance I think.
Talking heads on all three channels: TF1, A2, FR3, all saying that polls were way off. Pollsters say nobody paid attention to their reported floating 40 percent undecided polled. Reason for Jospin 'surprise' and Balladur 'perplexity'.
At 23h50 local Paris time, polling organizations say finalists are: Jospin and Chirac. - Unchanged -
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Updated 04/95