ELYSEE PALACE; M. POHER & GUESTS, INCLUDING FRENCH EDUCATION MINISTER FAURE.(SOF)




Initials LD/POOL-V/PW/SGM



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Background: M. ALAIN POHER, THE 60-YEAR-OLD FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE WHO BECAME INTERIM PRESIDENT OF FRANCE ON GENERAL DE GAULLE'S RESIGNATION LAST MONTH, IS STILL THE FORERUNNER IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WHICH TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 1ST. AT A RECEPTION AT THE ELYSEE PALACE TODAY (TUESDAY) M. POHER, ACCOMPANIED BY M. EDGAR FAURE, ENTERTAINED A GROUP OF EUROPEAN MINISTERS OF EDUCATION WHO ARE HOLDING TALKS AT VERSAILLES.

VIRTUALLY UNKNOWN UNTIL HE WAS CATAPULTED INTO THE LIMELIGHT AFTER THE NEGATIVE REFERENDUM WHICH BROUGHT AN END TO THE DE GAULLE GOVERNMENT. M. POHER ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE PRESIDENT ON MAY 12 - ONLY 24 HOURS BEFORE THE LISTS CLOSED - AND, ACCORDING TO THE OPINION POLLS, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SHOT FORWARD TO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE RACE FROM M. GEORGES POMPIDOU. HE STILL MAINTAINS THIS LEAD AND THE POLLS PREDICT THAT HE SHOULD WIN THE ELECTION ON THE SECOND ROUND - AS NEITHER LEADING CANDIDATE IS EXPECTED TO GAIN THE 50% OF THE VOTE THAT IS REQUIRED TO WIN AN OUTRIGHT VICTORY IN THE FIRST ROUND.

WHILE M. POMPIDOU AND THE OTHER FIVE CANDIDATES ARE CAMPAIGNING ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, M. POHER HAS CONCENTRATED HIS CAMPAIGN FROM PARIS, MAINLY SPEAKING ON RADIO AND TELEVISION, WHILE CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES OF INTERIM PRESIDENT.