FRANCE: PRIME MINISTER MESSMER'S NEW GOVERNMENT TAKE OFFICE: OUTGOING PREMIER CHABAN-DELMAS TALKS OF FUTURE PLANS

Record ID: 230391

  • Title: FRANCE: PRIME MINISTER MESSMER'S NEW GOVERNMENT TAKE OFFICE: OUTGOING PREMIER CHABAN-DELMAS TALKS OF FUTURE PLANS
  • Date: 7th July 1972
  • Summary: 1. SV EXT Hotel Matignon. Messmer and Chaban-Delmas walk through door to talk to newsmen 1.01 2. SV Chaban-Delmas into car and away 1.10 3. GV EXT Elysee Palace 1.14 4. SV President Pompidou with Messmer ad new government posing for photograph 1.33 CHABAN-DELMAS: "My dear Pierre, I wish the new Prime Minister and new Government all necessary success on behalf of all Frenchmen." MESSMER: "Thank you." CHABAN-DELMAS: "As for me, I'm going home to Bordeaux where a good deal of work is awaiting me on behalf of the town...with the feeling of a task accomplished and with confidence in the future. Goodbye and good luck." Initials BB/0130 TH/AS/BB/0210 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 22nd July 1972 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA3YQG10HIE5PSPMLU9PJ8Z9YK1
  • Story Text: The Government of the new French Prime Minister, M. Pierre Messmer, took office (Friday). Meeting the new Government leaders at the Elysee Palace, President Georges Pompidou called on them to remain resolutely Gaullist yet to introduce dynamic new policies.

    Wednesdays enforced resignation of M. Jacques Chaban-Delmas, the outgoing Prime Minister, has been interpreted as an attempt to improve the government's chances in the National Assembly elections, which have to be held by next spring.

    Many experienced ministers continue to hold key posts in M. Messmer's government. But former Premier Edgar Faure is brought in to head anew Social Affairs Ministry.

    M. Chaban-Delmas,who pioneered liberal social policies, had been reported a liability to M. Pompidou because of financial scandals surrounding his government, a row over his tax affairs,and a growing lack of confidence in him among Gaullists.

    But there was no mention of these controversies when he took leave of M. Messmer at a traditional ceremony today:
    SYNOPSIS: In Paris, the government of new Prime Minister Pierre Messmer took office on Friday. In a traditional ceremony, M. Massmer--on the left--said farewell to outgoing Premier Jacques Chaban-Delmas, who wished the new government success and spoke briefly of future plans:
    M. Chaban-Delmas said that he was returning to his home town of Bordeaux, where he had much work to do on behalf of the townspeople. He made no mention of the reason underlying is enforced resignation two days earlier. But it's been reported in Paris that he was dropped by President Pompidou because of financial scandals surrounding his government, a row over personal tax affairs and a growing lack of confidence among Gaullists.

    As M. Chaban-Delmas made his departure, Gaullists were looking to the new government to improve their chances of victory in elections next spring.

    At the Elysee Palace on Friday, M. Messmer and his new government posed with President Pompidou. The President called on them to bring a new dynamism to their gaullist policies. Many experienced men are retained in key posts in the government. The chief newcomer is former Premier Edgar Faure to head a new Social Affairs Ministry.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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