Giscard Gets the Message

A forced smile flickered occasionally across the President's lean, aristocratic face as he spoke into the television cameras. "The people of France sent a message to those who govern you. I have received it." So saying, Valery Giscard d'Estaing ordered Premier Raymond Barre--who had resigned only an hour earlier--to form a new Cabinet. Giscard, who was on the defensive after his governing coalition's stunning defeat in last month's municipal elections, defined the goals for the government: 1) mapping the country's economic recovery and 2) charting a program to defeat the Socialist-Communist alliance in nationwide elections next year.

Desire for Change. The "combat Cabinet," as Barre called it, represents Giscard's last, best chance to win those elections. But if the French President perceived a desire for fundamental change, his response was, well, a bit restrained. The most striking feature of the new Cabinet was not the new faces but the missing ones. Gone were three ministers who represented the principal political groups in the coalition: Independent Republican Michel Poniatowski, an outspoken crony of Giscard's who was Minister of the Interior; Centrist Jean Lecanuet, Minister of Planning; and Gaullist Olivier Guichard, Justice Minister. The three are expected to turn their attention to preparing next year's campaign at the grass-roots level. Although six portfolios changed hands, not altered were the key ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Finance (which Barre continues to hold).

Some critics dismissed the reshuffle as an empty gesture. Said Robert Fabre, head of the opposition Radicals: "A lot of noise for nothing. The absence of real change proves the incapacitated state in which the President of the republic finds himself." Quipped Socialist Claude Estier: "Giscard has made a big decision: he replaces Raymond Barre with Raymond Barre." Defending the

Cabinet, an Elysee spokesman responded: "You cannot entrust state matters to people who have not served before in important posts."

The Gaullists were not altogether happy either. The new government does not include a single close ally of Jacques Chirac, the newly elected mayor of Paris who trounced Michel d'Ornano, Giscard's personal choice for the job. Giscard did his best to gloss over this humiliating loss. When Chirac was formally presented at the Elysee as "Monsieur le Maire de Paris," the President graciously responded, "Et cher ami" (and dear friend). Later Chirac tried to cool tempers at a meeting of Gaullist parliamentarians, many of whom had been openly derisive of Giscard. "We will be loyal," he said, "but we will exercise our vigilance to make sure that the policies of the government take into account our point of view."

Gathering his new team for the first time late last week, Giscard outlined the tasks of the new government. The top priority, he said, remains the battle against inflation (currently running at over 8%). That means a continuation of Barre's austerity measures, including tight credit and wage restraints. Giscard also proposed a specific "program of action" for the next twelve months to find ways to help the aged, economically depressed families and unemployed youths. Meanwhile, the leaders of the majority parties will draw up a specific platform that would be matched point by point against the left's programme commun.

Curious Fatalism. Wherever he turns these days, Giscard seems to encounter hostility. True, he can count on the loyalty of Barre, whose down-to-earth, schoolmaster image has won a surprising amount of popularity. But Barre is essentially a technocrat without any political base. Now Barre has been given an unenviable mission in attempting to win back the voters lost to the left, partly because of the government's economic policies. The pattern of the municipal elections showed that the leftist opposition gained most in those regions where unemployment was high. As inflation gains once more among France's trading partners, it is bound to flare again in France. At the same time, the French trade unions, notably docile during the past two years, have been encouraged by the leftist electoral successes. They have announced a major onslaught on the government to win another 15% wage increase this year.

Barre must also confront the curious fatalism that has developed among the French about the prospect of a Socialist government with Communist members. It is an adventure that no longer frightens many of them. Even some businessmen who once recoiled in horror at the idea seem resigned to living with it. It is Barre's job to help Giscard convince Frenchmen otherwise, because so far they have not been impressed by Giscard alone.

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