53. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Elbrick) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- French Cabinet Crisis
The Bourgès-Maunoury Government fell on the vote of confidence on the “Loi-Cadre” for Algeria by 253 to 279.2 Bourgès had already used up most of his credit with the Assembly, but his defeat on this issue was due primarily to the active opposition of the ex-Gaullist Social Republicans and the hostility of the conservative “Modérés”. The Social Republicans, greatly influenced by Soustelle, former Governor General of Algeria, were critical of the liberal features of the “Loi-Cadre”—the centralized institutions and universal suffrage. Soustelle exploited the issue of the Tunisian arms request and the U.S. role in this matter, but it is doubtful that this contributed significantly to Bourgès’ downfall. The “Modérés” had similar misgivings about the “Loi-Cadre”. Moreover, Peasant opposition to the government’s policy on freezing agricultural prices was a factor in the position of the “Modérés”.
President Coty will now hold consultations with the party leaders according to the constitutional procedures before designating a new premier. He has not yet accepted Bourgès’ resignation, so the government still has full powers, although it will be most reluctant to use them. The crisis will probably be very difficult to resolve, given the current issues confronting France and given the absence of any clear-cut majority.3 (Bourgès’ was a minority cabinet, as in fact was Mol-let’s.) The persons currently talked about as most likely to succeed are Pleven,4 Radical Socialist Billères5 or some relatively non-controversial individual who can obtain the support of the Socialists and the tacit consent of the conservatives. Any such government would be weak and ineffective. However, the Socialists are disgruntled about the conservatives toppling the last two governments and may choose not to back a new government actively. In such a case, a new premier would have to obtain the active support of the conservatives and at [Page 172] least the abstention of the Socialists. Nevertheless, if an impasse is reached, it is quite possible that Coty may have to end up asking Mollet to form a new government. There is of course the danger, however remote, that should the crisis continue for a very extended period with no apparent prospect of forming a government, Coty might in the last analysis be induced to call on De Gaulle.
The crisis could not come at a less auspicious time. The fall of the Government will have an unsettling effect on the French military in Algeria and the rejection of the “Loi-Cadre” undermines France’s efforts to regain the confidence of the Moslems. Her position before the U.N. will be even more awkward, despite the fact that it is possible that a new government might decide to resuscitate the “Loi-Cadre”. Moreover, the crisis will encourage speculation on the Franc, which may thereby offset the advantages gained by the devaluation of August 11.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751.13/10–157. Confidential. Drafted by Looram. Sent through S/S.↩
- The government was defeated in the National Assembly on September 30. Telegram 1674 from Paris, October 1, analyzed this vote and its consequences. (Ibid., 751.00/10–157)↩
- The crisis lasted until November 6, when Felix Gaillard succeeded in forming a government. Documentation on the crisis is in Department of State, Central File 751.00.↩
- René Pleven, French Prime Minister, 1950–1951, 1951–1952.↩
- René Billères, Minister of National Education, Youth, and Sport.↩