French Socialists face set back, popularity test
January 18, 1982
Paris
France's Socialist government, set back this weekend in its nationalization plans, faced four special elections to the National Assembly Sunday in its first test of popularity since coming to power.
A promise that the government would take over some industrial groups, banks, and financial holding companies was part of the platform which won the presidency for Francois Mitterrand last May. But the Constitutional Council ruled that parts of the nationalization bill could not be allowed under the French Constitution.
Ministers will meet today (Jan. 18) to discuss what to do next.