1955 French cantonal elections

Cantonal elections to renew the general councillors of cantons were held in France on April 17 and 24, 1955. Originally scheduled for October 1954, the cantonal elections were postponed and finally held in April 1955.

1955 French cantonal elections

← 1951
  • April 17, 1955 (1955-04-17) (1st round)
  • April 24, 1955 (1955-04-24) (2nd round)
1958 →
Turnout59.59%

Results

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The abstention rate amounted to 40.41%.[1] It was a victory for the moderates and the Rally of Republican Lefts (RGR).[2]

A fairly general progression of the socialists was observed, while the communists retreated in some cantons. In most cases, the socialists allied (withdrawing candidates in favor of the better placed) with center and right-wing parties against the French Communist Party (PCF).

The Popular Republican Movement (MRP) maintained its positions in Western France and Alsace. The Gaullists (Social Republicans) found themselves in difficult positions.

In 13 cantons of Hérault, the election could not take place as the mayors staged a ballot box strike.[3]

PartyFirst roundSecond roundSeats
Votes%Votes%
Moderates and Independents1,695,57227.03781,64121.60350
Rally of Republican Lefts1,004,98516.02502,34413.88266
French Section of the Workers' International1,113,40017.75794,12321.95144
Popular Republican Movement560,4388.94308,0508.5163
Miscellaneous left222,6383.55129,4883.5845
Social Republicans346,0815.52283,9577.8531
French Communist Party1,316,70120.99813,80722.4923
Miscellaneous12,3930.204,5570.130
Total6,272,208100.003,617,967100.00922
Valid votes6,272,20897.193,617,96797.53
Invalid/blank votes181,4072.8191,4412.47
Total votes6,453,615100.003,709,408100.00
Registered voters/turnout10,830,43159.596,017,06361.65
Source: Le Monde[4]

References

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  1. ^ Bréchon, Pierre (2004). La France aux urnes: Soixante ans d'histoire electorale (in French). La Documentation Française. p. 41.
  2. ^ "Les modérés ont été les bénéficiers des élections cantonales partielles". Le Monde.fr (in French). 1957-08-09. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  3. ^ "La " grève des urnes " sera-t-elle appliquée dans l'Hérault ?". Le Monde (in French). 1955-04-15. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  4. ^ Les Élections Cantonales 1955 official results