The Electronic Telegraph 25 April 1995 WORLD NEWS

Observers fear a deeper divide

• The results of the first round clearly show that France is divided into four. Besides the traditional Right/Left split, a neo-populism has superimposed itself in the form of the extreme Right and the extreme Left. Contrary to all expectations, it is not now impossible that M Jospin could win the second round. A new lesson for the Right; when it squabbles, France is tempted to send it reeling. - Franz-Olivier Giesbert, Le Figaro.

• The votes are spread to such a point that the candidate from the Right. . . is in a precarious situation. If he is elected president, M Chirac will be the most unconvincingly elected leader of the Fifth Republic. He will be a fragile president in a France that falters between authoritarianism and social democracy. - Serge July, Liberation.

• Though there is a favourite, he is without dynamism. For, 14 years after launching himself in his first race for the Elysee. . . M Chirac has hardly progressed. He mobilised no more nor less than his usual followers. The voters have not given him the means he asked for, they did not want to put him in a dominant position. - Jean-Marie Colombani, Le Monde.

• The results show the state of doubt in which so many of our citizens find themselves. With the Socialist illusion today dissipated, French society shows itself more dangerous, more unjust, less unified. - Jacques Chirac.

• I want to turn towards all those who await a real change. I appeal to you to rally round my proposals. They will guarantee this country a shared prosperity and give confidence back to our youth. - Lionel Jospin.

• On Europe, the only candidate who prolongs my efforts and those of M Mitterrand is Lionel Jospin. He intends to be a citizen-president, not to monopolise the power but to share it. M Jospin seems well-placed to win. - Jacques Delors.

• I don't share M Le Pen's values but his voters express all sorts of preoccupations that every candidate must take into account, in particular M Chirac. Concerns about security . . . and the preservation of a certain form of national identity are legitimate. It is possible that we haven't attached enough importance to these problems. - Alain Juppe, the Foreign Minister and Chirac supporter.

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