The French Presidency M. Lebrun has finally yielded to persuasion
and consented to stand for re-election to the French Presidency. The greatest pressure came from M. Daladier, who has the strongest reasons to desire M. Lebrun's re-election. A change of President would constitutionally involve the resignation of M. Daladier's Cabinet ; though it would be immediately re- formed, it would be difficult for M. Daladier to retain some of his present Ministers, especially M. Georges Bonnet. M. Lebrun's success in Wednesday's election is taken for granted. He fulfils all the traditional conditions demanded of a French President ; his seven years' experience in that office will be valuable to France in the difficult period to come ; he has gained increased prestige and popularity from the success of his recent visit to London. M. Daladier is well on the way to achieve the main points of his political programme. The first was to secure the grant of special powers for himself, the second to secure M. Lebrun's re- election and especially to prevent a Presidential victory for M. Herriot, who has retired from the contest. M. Daladier's success may foreshadow a radical transformation of French political life, even if war does not supervene. And he may now feel strong enough to undertake the further concessions abroad for which he is prepared and M. Bonnet more than anxious.
