ABSTRACT
The ‘yes’ vote will be large, very large. But to what will they be saying ‘yes’? The Constitution? People could not care less about it. A political programme? Rare are the inscrutable oracles that descend from the lofty firmament about the General’s head. No, this election is about the man himself. In this compartmentalized country bristling with barriers, divisions and obstacles, where everyone squabbles with their neighbour over a bone, the man of unanimity suddenly appears. We all know that if he were to win on 28 September, even with only a narrow margin, he would not consider himself to be leader of the government, but claim to unite all French people in his person. He is very careful not to offer anything: and interests down here on earth remain fragmented and conflicting. But when the electors raise their eyes, they descry beyond the clouds the fascinating mirage of unity. If we vote for him, Left and Right will be united just like his left ear and his right; major capital and roadmenders like the top of his head and the soles of his feet. Many French people hate their neighbours; they will love them in de Gaulle; everyone will commune in this great entity whose organic indissolubility wishes to symbolize the highest degree of social integration.
