THE FRENCH PEOPLE AND DE GAULLE.

FRENCH politics & government, 1958-1969; GAULLE, Charles de, 1890-1970; PUBLIC relations & politics; PRESS conferences; DEBATE

The article focuses on Charles de Gaulle, President of France and his state of leadership. Presence of people of France is said to be dormant in government decisions and other related activities. Once a decision has been made, there follows a fairly short period of briefing the leading French diplomats, a process which takes place in absolute secrecy. Very few men are acquainted with the General's over-all strategy. There are generally no leaks. When there are, they are deliberate, never fortuitous. Assuming that his top ministers have been informed, there comes the moment when the General announces his decision to the public. This he usually does at one of his press conferences which he holds, on the average, twice a year. The decisions announced to the French people are never publicly debated. The lack of publicity given and weight attached to parliamentary debates is not due merely to the people's hostility, the General's contempt or the Constitution he pushed through in 1958 to confirm his absolute power, the fault lies also with the opposition, which is disunited, often timid and certainly short of political leaders of any stature or reputation.