At 1715 this afternoon President Rene Coty telephoned his congratulations to General de Gaulle at his country home at Colombey-les-Deux Eglises.

At 2300 the unofficial results were announced. General de Gaulle had polled 77.5% for metropolitan France, 81.45% for overseas departments and 97.04% for the States of the French Community.

Under the new constitution it means he becomes the first leader of the Fifth Republic with US-style presidential powers.

Economic Crisis

It is a remarkable comeback for a man who led the victory parade into Paris in 1944 but resigned in a disagreement over the constitution for the Fourth Republic and in 1953 announced his retirement from politics.

With France facing a huge economic crisis and a looming civil war in Algeria, he was recalled as prime minister six months ago.

He was given wide powers to draw up a new constitution, establishing a more powerful presidency, which was given the overwhelming endorsement of the public in September's referendum.

Today is the first time the electoral college, as laid down by the new constitution, has voted.

It includes members of parliament, members of county and municipal councils, mayors of all villages and the members of local assemblies from overseas territories.

The biggest challenge facing the General is Algeria. Tonight he has made public the contents of a letter he has written to the new delegate-general of the government in Algeria.

In it he speaks of pacifying, administering and transforming Algeria, but he avoids potentially contentious words like integration.

He also says there will be a clampdown on policing in Algeria following claims officers have been using repressive measures.

General de Gaulle will formally take over as president on 8 January.

His first task will be the appointment of a new prime minister. Michael Debre is believed to be the most likely choice.

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