Evening star., 1945-07-10
French Constitution
To Be Major Issue al
October IA Election
BY the Assoc. ated Press,

PARIS, July l0.-The fate of
the bicameral system of gov
ernment in France is expected to-
be at stake October IA when the
French people-at their first
general election since before the
War-decide whether they wish
to discard the constitution of
1875, under which the Third Re-
public was established.
The decision to call the election
was reached by Gen. Charles De
Gaulle's Council of Ministers yester-
day at a six-hour meeting and
placed definite limit on the tenure
of the present provisional govern
ment.
Under the election procedure laid
down by the council, the voters will
be given an opportunity to elect
new national assembly in addition
to deciding whether they wish to re-
turn to the constitution of 1875.
Two government officials. who
claim to know Gen. de Gaulle's in
tentions, said he would not be a
candidate for the new National As
sembly.
Political circles considered it like
ly, however, that the new Assembly
would exercise its power to draft"
do nFn
Issue Outlined.
If the old constitution Is voted
down, the assembly will undertake
the task Of framing new constitu-
ton. If the voters uphold the old
constitution, the assembly will be-
come the Chamber of Deputies and
Senate will be elected in the usual
way.
ELECTION of the French Senate
| is by indirect vote, being COM
! posed of delegates chosen by the
| municipal council of each COM
mune and by the deputies, coun-
cilors-general and district coun-
cilors of each department)
The National Assembly also will
be charged with the appointment of
provisional president to serve dur
ing its tenure, which is limited to
seven months. The president will
name his own ministers.
In addition the assembly will be
empowered to pass on the national
budgent, conclude treaties with
other nations and regulate the eco
nomic life of the country.
Details concerning the procedure
for eIecting the National Assembly
were not announced. but 1t was said
voting would be on the basis of
universal suffrage"
Leftists Seek Change.
The constitution issue was ex-
pected to hinge on the question of
whether France should retain two
| Legislative bodies-comparable to the
American Senate and House of Rep
resentatives-as provided in the
constitution of 1875.
A bitter behind d-the-Scenes strug-
gle on this issue has developed re-
Gently between Gen. de Gaulle and
the extreme Leftists, who have ad-
vocated a unicameral system. Po-
litical observers expressed belief the
Leftists' stand was based on a hope
they could more easily control a
single chamber
Gen. de Gaulle has held out for
double chamber. BY its action yes
terday, the council decided to put
the issue squarely up to the people.
Agitation for new constitution
and unicameral legislature was
expected to develop at an "etats
genereaux" Estates generaD conven-
ton sponsored by the Council of
National Resistance, which opens
here today with 5000 delegates in
attendance. Local caucuseS among
the delegates yesterday indicated
there was strong feeling in favor of
the reform.
The immediate purpose Of the
convention is to unity resistance
leaders and fighters, who gradually
drifted into other parties and groups
after Frances liberation, into a
powerful left-wing political faction.