FRENCH CP PRESS TROUBLE

Workers Press no. 900, 21 October 1972 · scan page 9

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While the French Communist Party claims to have recruited over 40,000 new members this year, its Press is under heavy financial pressure. Dimanche' which used to meet part of the loss on the daily 'L'Humanité' have been falling and rigid economies have been called for.

The premises occupied by the daily paper are to be vacated and let to raise money. The literary weekly 'Les Lettres Françaises' has already been closed down for political as well as financial reasons. Other journals are under sentence of death.

Meanwhile the Party is turned completely towards the preparations for the March 1973 elections. The aim of selling 590,000 copies of the common electoral programme with the Socialist Party is still very far short of fulfilment. Sales to date amount to 135,000 copies.

Party branches have been urged to step up sales. Efforts are being made to extend the