EPE7LG: 1979 - FDC Giscard d'Estaing Official Visit to Alsace - 1st EP Elections

On an official visit to Alsace from May 14 to 15, 1979, President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing sets out his vision of Europe

Mr. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing gave a speech on May 15 in Hoerdt (near Strasbourg, France) in which he wished to outline the prospects for France's European policy. This intervention takes its place, without any possible doubt, in the preparation of the June 10 EP Elections. The President of the Republic has indicated that he will not mark a preference for one of the lists in presence, but it is obvious that the forty-eight hours that he spent in Alsace were intended to allow him to give its own vision of Europe and to make it clear to voters which option will best match its own orientations. In addition, beyond June 10, it is also the 1981 deadline that is already being targeted. From this point of view too, the trip to Alsace was unambiguous. Tuesday morning, the Head of State, who had visited the Haut-Rhin the day before, visited the neighboring department of Bas-Rhin. He notably stopped at Wissembourg, Saverne, Haguenau, Rosheim and Handschuheim, before concluding this visit in Hoerdt where several tens of thousands of people were expected by the organizers.

A limited philatelic envelope, commemorating the official visit and the first elections to the European Parliament, has been specially designed by the Philatelic Kiosk at the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg.