Evening star., 1952-01-12
Vacuum in France

Although it has not come as a complete
surprise the fall of. Premier Peven and his
five-month old coalition government is de-
pressing development that has injected a new
element of uncertainty into the affairs of the
free Western world.
True enough, despite dizZying merry-go-
round of cabinet crises, France in recent years
both at home and abroad-has staged remark
able comeback and been considerably more stable
than headlines have indicated. But this latest
in it's long postwar series of political turnovers
has occurred at particularly unfortunate mo-
ment and seems graver than the others because
President Auriol is likely to have a hard time
getting the rival parties to agree on organizing
q new government-an agreement essential to
authoritative French action in connection with
q number of important international projects
demanding such action.
The Pleven cabinet-a coalition of center
parties between the Communists on the extreme
left and the GaullistS on the extreme right-haS
fallen because the Socialists, for domestic politi
cal reasons, have withdrawn their former sup
port and joined in vote of no confidence that
has forced its resignation. The issue that has
brought this about has been dispute in the
National Assembly over proposals for a financial
reorganization of Frances railway and social
security systems. However, the mere fact that
on a caretaker basis-can hardly fail to have
international repercussions the more SO because
there are indications that the present political
vacuum may last as long as month, If not
longer.
In such a situation. several disturbing un-
certainties Immediately arise. Along with Britain
and the United States, France is now negotiating
an agreement to make West Germany an almost
sovereign nation. Further it Is working for the
latters full participation in unified European
army and the Schuman Plan for merging coal
and steel resources But the Bonn Germans have
been dealing with the Pleven government, and
now that that government has resigned and
successor has yet to be organized, they may be
hesitant about making commitments. Similarly,
as a result of this governing vacuum, a measure
of doubt hangs over the impending Lisbon meet
ing of the North Atlantic Treaty Council. How
will the French be able to speak there with
authority if they have no cabinet behind them
back home?
Another big question at the moment has to
do with the groups that will make up the new
government when it Is formed. VIII they be the
same as those in the Pleven cabinet, or will the
Gaullists, who have the biggest single bloc OF
seats in the National Assembly, be included9
And if the GaullistS are included, Will that mean
a modification of French foreign policy In line
with General de Gaulle's controversial views?
Clearly enough even though the Socialists and
the middle-of- -the-road parties may be able 70
agree on another coalition excluding the LETT
and right extremes, the situation today makes
France an uncertain factor IN international
affairs.
Actually, no matter how the present vacuum
Is filled, the uncertainty viii still remain because
no cabinet in Paris can be sure Of its existence
To %Ia Snv This sn hANQnSe
of the multiplicity of parties, none Of which has
a majority. The resulting need for uneasy coali-
tions accounts for the frequent turnoyers. Until
this basically> unstable political situation b
changed to. permit the formation Of durable
oovernmenfS Frances voice in the world yin be