France - Balladur

(23 Jan 1995) T/I 00:40:45 STORY: BALLADUR LOCATION: PARIS, FRANCE DATE: 18 JANUARY 1995 DURATION: 1.00 PM announces intention to run for Presidency Premier Edouard Balladur, the overwhelming favourite to replace Francois Mitterrand as French President in May, declared his long-expected candidacy on Wednesday (18/1) with a promise to avoid partisan campaigning. "I am not the candidate of a party," Balladur said on national television. "I want to rally the largest possible number of French people in a spirit of tolerance, openness and respect." Polls suggest Balladur is virtually certain to win a seven-year term as successor to Mitterrand, whose Socialist Party is floundering. Though a member of the Rally for the Republic, the largest conservative party, Balladur has strong appeal to centrists. He has pulled far ahead of the party's former leader, Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac, who feels betrayed by Balladur's decision to seek the presidency. The first round of voting will be on April 23. If no one wins an outright majority, the top two vote-winners will compete in a runoff on May 7. Balladur, 65, has been premier since a sweeping conservative victory in parliamentary elections in March 1993. SHOWS: POOL (PARIS, FRANCE, 18/1) Journalists outside palace. French Prime Minister, Edouard Balladur, making annoucement in his office. Journalists with TV monitor. Balladur announcement continues. WTN Balladur leaving building. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...