Eighty years ago this week France votes for change and the Left

 

The French (including women for the first time) went to the polls. They voted almost unanimously for a new constitution and by a majority of two-thirds that any new constitution would be put to a popular vote. The second proposal had aroused fears that it would serve to repeat Napoleon III's rule by plebiscite. De Gaulle had advocated a yes vote on both so as to avoid the new assembly having sovereign status. Voters also chose the assembly which would deliberate the new constitution. The Communists emerged as the largest party with 26% of the vote and 158 seats followed by the Catholic MRP, 23% and 152 seats. Blocs of smaller parties took 24% but only 97 seats. The Communists had campaigned against a referendum on a new constitution and the MRP offered "fidelity" to de Gaulle. The socialists came third with 22% and 142 seats. The Communists' goal of a coalition between themselves and the socialists had been thwarted by the socialists who saw the danger of domination by the Communists and insisted on a three party government. The assembly chose de Gaulle as head of government but this was more an acknowledgement of the status he had earned as the political leader of Free France than commitment to him as a leader of the future.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Hugh Dalton delivered the first Budget of the new Labour government with modest moves to reduce the huge burden of wartime taxation. Two million of the lowest earners were taken out of the income tax net completely but the allowance for earned income was left punishingly low. The cut in business taxation fell short of what had been hoped. Dalton declared that he did not wish to stimulate demand for goods which were in short or non-existent supply.

The International Military Tribunal established to try Nazi war crimes held its first formal session in Berlin, where it received the indictment of the twenty-four Nazi leaders who were charged.  The next stage in the proceedings would be the trial itself which would take place in Nuremberg.

Colonel Juan Peron was released by the military authorities after a brief detention by his military colleagues who had arrested him after deposing him from the vice presidency which he had used to promote radical policies. He was acclaimed by a huge, frenzied crowd in the Plaza de Mayo with near religious fervour; slogans  appeared "Saint Peron, President of Argentina." He married his girlfriend Eva Duarte who had helped organize  demonstrations in his favour.