1.
GV Jacques Chirac walks onto platform, acknowledges cheers from audience and shakes hands. Banners in audience (4 shots)
0.22

2.
CU Chirac speaking in French
0.56

3.
GV Audience
1.00

4.
MV Maurice Druon speaking
1.45



Initials BB/



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In France former Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was re-elected as President of the Gaullist "Rally for the Republic" Party on Saturday (31 March).

SYNOPSIS: The party was created in December 1976 as a vehicle to bring Monsieur Chirac back to power. He had been Prime Minister from 1974 until 1976, when he was defeated by Raymond Barre. Monsieur Chirac, who was sole candidate for the Party presidency, won ninety-seven per cent of the delegates' votes.

This was the R.P.R.'s first congress. M. Chirac thanked the delegates for attending in such large numbers and formally opened the proceedings. The RPR is allied in parliament with the centrist movements supporting President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, but it is expected that Monsieur Chirac will challenge Monsieur Giscard in the 1981 Presidential elections.

The next speaker was party official Maurice Druon.

After greeting the delegates he welcomed them to Paris, where the party has had its biggest Victories. Monsieur Chirac is mayor of the French capital. The Party is increasing in popularity. In 1975 the Gaullist movement had just under two hundred thousand members and the reformed party in the form of the RPR now claims a membership of nearly eight hundred thousand. Other items on the agenda included choosing candidates, preparing for elections for the European Parliament which will be held later this year, and decisions on the Party's manifesto.