Press conference by Alain POHER, interim President and candidate for President of the Republic, in the Senate. He recalls the results of an IFOP survey: "I do not forget that a few weeks ago, my name was almost unknown in France... So 30% seems to me a satisfactory starting point. I do not blame Jacques Duhamel for having chosen Monsieur Pompidou. He was free to choose, but he could have presented it differently". " I read a lot of Pravda, I learned a lot about myself... I wish people would vote for me if they knew me better."
Electoral campaign in Strasbourg by Alain POHER, interim president and presidential candidate. Under the cheers and applause of his supporters, he declared: "First of all, you will excuse me for having lost my voice by fighting for the Republic..." He says "what must change: first of all the political climate... " The state is the good of all French... We must reconcile and come together..."
Press conference by Alain POHER, President of the Senate, in which he discusses his conception of the position of Speaker pro tempore which he currently holds. He recalled the rules of objectivity that must govern the information sectors and announced the forthcoming intervention of the control commission of the ORTF chaired by Mr. Parodi. He concludes with these words: "France continues... is it not the essential in the present circumstances".
The interim President of the Republic, Alain Poher, arrives this morning at the Elysée Palace. With General Richard, military commander of the Elysée, at his side, he listens to "La Marseillaise", reviews the Guard. He then goes up the Elysée steps.
Alain POHER, responsible for the provisional exercise of the functions of President of the Republic following the death of Georges Pompidou, addresses the French: "The disappearance of the President has grieved France... but did not create the vacuum at the head of the State... The Constitution gives the President of the Senate interim powers of the Head of State. My mission... is to be the guarantor of the Constitution and to ensure the continuity of the State... The big deal for France today is the presidential election...".
Alain Poher believes "that a lot of things have been said about the interim president". It cannot apply Articles 11 and 12 of the Constitution, but otherwise it has all the powers of the President of the Republic, including those of Article 16, which gives full powers. I felt I was a normal president of the Republic".
"French, French, General de Gaulle has decided to end his duties...". Alain POHER declares that he is responsible for the interim and evokes the future presidential election. He recalls the "scrupulous respect of the law which is imposed on the interim president... to the elected assemblies... and to all the French". He concludes: "In a few weeks' time, you will choose the new president... " Long live the republic! Long live France!"