Radio Address of May 30th, 1968
General de Gaulle
Frenchmen, Frenchwomen.
As the holder of national and republican legitimacy, I have considered, over the past twenty-four hours, all possible scenarios, without exception, that would allow me to maintain it. I have made my decisions.
Under the present circumstances, I will not resign. I have a mandate from the people, and I will fulfill it. I will not change the Prime Minister, whose value, solidity, and capability deserve the respect of all. He will propose to me the changes he deems useful in the composition of the government.
Today, I dissolve the National Assembly. I proposed to the country a referendum that would give citizens the opportunity to prescribe a profound reform of our economy and our universities and, at the same time, to express whether they still have confidence in me through the only acceptable means, that of democracy. I note that the current situation materially prevents this from happening, which is why I am postponing the date.
As for the legislative elections, they will take place within the constitutional deadlines, unless there is an intention to silence the entire French people by preventing them from expressing themselves, by the same means through which students are prevented from studying, teachers from teaching, and workers from working.
These means are intimidation, intoxication, and tyranny exercised by long-established organized groups and by a party that is a totalitarian enterprise, even if it already has rivals in this regard. Therefore, if this situation of force persists, I will have to, in order to maintain the republic, take other paths in accordance with the constitution than the immediate vote of the country.
In any case, everywhere and immediately, civilian action must be organized. This must be done to assist the government first and then, locally, the prefects who have become or will become again commissioners of the Republic in their task of ensuring, as much as possible, the existence of the population and preventing subversion at all times and in all places.
Indeed, France is threatened with dictatorship.
There is an attempt to force it to resign itself to a power that would impose itself in national despair, which would obviously and essentially be the power of the victor, that is, of totalitarian communism. Naturally, this would initially be disguised with a deceptive appearance by exploiting the ambition and hatred of sidelined politicians.
Afterward, these individuals would weigh no more than their weight, which would not be heavy.
Well no, the Republic will not abdicate. The people will pull themselves together.
Progress, independence, and peace will prevail with freedom.
Long live the Republic! Long live France!