Gaullist Party Moves to Wreck Balladur's Presidential Bid

Strategic Insights -

Edouard Balladur's hopes of becoming the French president have been dealt a significant blow by the Gaullist RPR party, whose chairman, Jacques Chirac, has announced he will be the sole Gaullist candidate in the presidential election. Chirac's decision, coupled with his criticism of Balladur's pro-European policies, has sparked a fierce battle within the party, with the two men now vying for support from Gaullist MPs. The RPR party's move to support Chirac's candidacy comes as a surprise, as Balladur had been seen as the clear front-runner for the presidency. However, Chirac's popularity has surged in recent opinion polls, with one showing him narrowing the gap between himself and Balladur.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jacques Chirac, the Gaullist RPR party chairman, has declared himself the sole Gaullist candidate in the presidential election, dealing a blow to Edouard Balladur's campaign.
  • Chirac has criticized Balladur's pro-European policies, calling for another referendum on European unity and blaming the government's economic policies for high levels of unemployment.
  • A special RPR congress will be held next weekend to support Chirac's candidacy, with the party leadership rallying behind him.
  • About 100 Gaullist MPs have already joined pro-Chirac campaign committees, fueling Balladur's concerns that the party is turning against him.
  • Chirac's campaign has been boosted by opinion polls showing he has narrowed the gap between himself and Balladur, once seen as a runaway winner.
  • Chirac's stance on economic policies has been influenced by anti-Maastricht campaigner Philippe Seguin, who devised a shift from social to economic action in the fight for jobs.

Statistics:

  • 100 Gaullist MPs have joined pro-Chirac campaign committees.
  • Chirac is 62 years old this month.
  • 18 months ago, the right won the general election, and the party has been working on a new strategy ever since.
  • France will hold the EU presidency during the campaign when Mr Juppe's attitude, as foreign minister and party chairman, will be interpreted as that of the RPR.
  • The presidential election is scheduled for January, with a first round to be held on [date not specified].

Sources:

  • PAUL WEBSTER in Paris, THE Gaullist RPR party has begun moves to wreck the presidential bid of the prime minister, Edouard Balladur. [Source: THE newspaper]
  • Jacques Chirac has challenged Mr Balladur's pro-European policies by calling for another referendum on European unity while blaming government economic policies for the high level of unemployment. [Source: Jacques Chirac's statement]
  • A special RPR congress will be held next weekend to support Mr Chirac's third campaign for the Elysee and ensure that Mr Balladur, a party member, will receive neither endorsement nor funds. [Source: THE newspaper]
  • Mr Chirac will hand over the party chair to the foreign affairs minister, Alain Juppe, who is currently secretary-general. [Source: THE newspaper]
  • Candidates usually resign from political party executives before seeking the presidency, but Mr Chirac is doing so only after ensuring that the RPR leadership is behind him. [Source: THE newspaper]
  • Philippe Seguin, an anti-Maastricht campaigner, has influenced Chirac's stance on economic policies. [Source: Philippe Seguin's statement]