In the Right Direction

The nearest things to U.S. state legislatures in France are the Departmental Councils of geographic areas arbitrarily established during the Revolution to break down the section rivalries of old France. Issues in departmental elections are usually local, but this year, with only half the members up for election, the vote took on a national character. The Communists campaigned against "American warmongering," the Gaullists charged that Premier Pleven is trading away France's independence for inadequate U.S. promises. Only candidates with an absolute majority (51%) are elected, and where the vote is split there are run-off elections later, thus providing for a period of horse-trading among the parties.

Last week, with almost half the first elections still undecided, the word was "Beat the Communists," as Socialists, Radical Socialists, Popular Republicans, Gaullists and right-wing Independents made deals switching their support. Result: something of a victory for the parties right of center. Biggest losers: Communists 98, Socialists 139. Biggest gainers: Independents 108, Gaullists 80. The total vote for Communist candidates was down 5%, but it was still larger than that cast for any other single party.

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