FRANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000900080011-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 19, 2000
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: April 22, 1958
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2
22 April 1958
1. Inconclusive 20 April first-round local election results generally
failed to serve as barometer for national issues such as
North Africa.
A. Popular vote percentages for major non-Communist groups
remained very close to those of last elections (1951) in same
cantons.
B. Some slight encouraging signs are poor showing of extreme
rightist slates and/ mall decline (off. 4% since 1951) in
Communist popular vote percentage.
1. This may reflect fewer abstentions both as compared with
last cantonals and recent National Assembly by-elections.
2. However, Communists will probably recoup in the 27 April
second round.
II. Nevertheless, IndependentParty may be tempted to regard minor
election gains as grass roots support for its adamant position.
III. Cotyts selection of popular Republican Georges Bidault was lar ;ely
to give appearance of some action and he may now be expected ;o
wait until after the second round of elections when serious party
negotiation more feasible.
A. Resistance Union leader Metterrand is currently being
speculated on as the next choice.
1. As advocate of "genuine French-Africa" community he might
gain Socialist, Radical and Popular Republican support.
Approved For Release 2000/0812!
 Approved For Release 2000/0 /29 : CIA-RDP79R0-&9A000 78
2. However, opportunism as Mendes-France's Interior Minister
and unsubstantiated pro-Communism charges by the right
leaves independent support doubtful.
IV. Pinay,was informally sounded out by Coty last week, but refuved
presumably because it was too early.
A. He says he told Coty he would try only if National Assembly
gave him "full powers" for two years, which it obviously
wouldn't.
B. Wale previous premiers have been granted such powers on
specific issues for a shorter period of time the deputiev
would probably be reluctant to agree to such a demand this
early in crisis.
V. Coty said to feel that Guy Mollet is his ace in the hole.
A. Believes Mollet is most likely candidate to find compromise
on Algeria and deal with labor unrest,
B. However, Mollet's previous compromise with the right was
based on Socialist Minister for Algeria Robert Lacoste's
pacification policy in Algeria which the rest of the party
is now moving away from.
Approved For Release 2000/08/29: C,IA-R ,79R8089OA000900080011-8