Word: mitterrand
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...smiles last week as he addressed a nationwide television audience from the reception chamber of Paris' grandiose, 19th century city hall. As mayor of Paris and the outspoken leader of the conservative Rally for the Republic party, Chirac only hours before had been named Premier by Socialist President Francois Mitterrand. For the first time in the 28-year history of the Fifth Republic, the nation's President was forced to preside over a government formed by a political rival and ideological foe. "The French must understand," Chirac declared, "that the moment has come to put an end to divisions...
...held majority control of the legislature. The system was tailor-made to suit Charles de Gaulle and was established in reaction to the revolving-door governments of the Fourth Republic, which witnessed 26 Cabinets between 1946 and 1958. Now, however, the stability of the Fifth Republic may be ending. Mitterrand, whose term as President runs until 1988, faces the very real prospect of having to deal with a legislature controlled by the opposition. The upshot could be a leftist President, a rightist Premier--and general political turmoil...
...pairing of a leftist President with a conservative legislature cohabitation, or, loosely, "living together." For all its colorful connotations, the term fails to answer certain fundamental questions. How much power, for example, would a conservative Premier have in foreign affairs, a field traditionally dominated by the French President? Would Mitterrand be compelled to relinquish any of his key powers, which include the right to dissolve parliament and the overseeing of national defense? Warns Jean Boissonnat, editor of the biweekly business magazine L'Expansion: "Unlike past elections, each of which brought a particular debate to a close, this one is going...
...opposition scores big on March 16, Chirac, 53, is the candidate most likely to become Premier. While he has refused to say whether he would accept an invitation to serve as the next Premier, Chirac last week seemed to have all but assumed the post when he demanded that Mitterrand pledge not to obstruct the alliance's economic program. Mitterrand, unimpressed, retorted during his television appearance, "One doesn't place conditions on the President of the Republic...
...only safe prediction is that France is probably headed for a period of political instability. Barring a Socialist upset, the least ambiguous course seems to lie in a solid rightist victory. Chirac might then take over as Premier. But that outcome would lead to a power struggle between Mitterrand and Chirac that might go on for two years, or until the next presidential election. Mitterrand could, for instance, dissolve parliament and plunge the country into further political disarray. He could also resign, a course that he has threatened to pursue if his presidential powers are challenged. "I would prefer...