Word: debre
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...with Pompidou's U.D.R. (Democratic Union for the Republic). But old-line Gaullists have not forgiven Giscard for urging a non vote in the 1969 referendum that forced De Gaulle to resign. Thus whenever Giscard seems to be flying too high, prominent Gaullists like former Premier Michel Debré start shooting at him. So, occasionally, does Pompidou; there are reports that the President wrote in the margin of Giscard's last anti-inflation program, "Not good enough...
Pompidou makes no secret of his disdain for his former Premier. "Perhaps I can't elect the candidate of my choice," he reflected recently, "but I can defeat whom I don't want" - meaning Chaban. Chaban, however, has picked up other important support, notably from Debré, who has endorsed him for President. As a prelude to an eventual campaign for president, Chaban has assembled a brain trust of advisers and thinkers, but so far he is deliberately keeping a low profile. Says an aide: "Why should he start taking a position on every issue that pops...
...April wind blew harshly and rain pelted down, but Paris' unruly students turned out by the scores of thousands last week to renew their protest march against the government. DEBRÉ, YOU BRIBED THE WEATHER BUREAU, said one slogan. MAMA, MAMA, YOUR SON IS IN THE STREETS, said another. And again: DEBRÉ, YOU BASTARD, THE PEOPLE WILL HAVE YOUR HIDE...
...specific target of their wrath was Defense Minister Michel Debré, whose new draft law ended student deferments for anyone over 21. The police reacted sternly to the protest, in some cases clubbing down the students, but the next day, not entirely by coincidence, Debré let it be known that he would not be a member of President Georges Pompidou's new Cabinet. The same day, it was announced that the controversial Loi Debré would be reconsidered...
Back then, the cry was, "De Gaulle to the museum!" This time the target, like the crowds, was much smaller. "Debré salaud, on aura ta peau!" (Debré, you bastard, we'll have your hide). Gaullist Defense Minister Michel Debré, a perennial villain of the French left, was under fire for sponsoring the new draft...