The formality had to be observed, even though the outcome was never in doubt. Last week 81,500-odd "Grand Electors" of Francedeputies, senators, mayors, deputy mayors, municipal councilorselected the first President of the Fifth Republic. There were three candidates: an obscure Communist mayor, a Sorbonne dean, and Charles de Gaulle.
As chief of state, De Gaulle will be the direct successor to two Presidents of the Fourth Republic, two Emperors named Napoleon, 14 Presidents of the Third Republic (none now living), Vichy's Marshal Petain, and a string of kings ranging in power from the glorious days of Louis XIV, the Roi...
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