The 1919 Elections

The legislative elections of 1919 were marked, at the national level, by a deep renewal of the political personnel; 369 deputies out of 616 were elected for the first time. Many new deputies were young war veterans. Centrist and conservative forces joined to create the National Bloc led by Georges Clemenceau. The National Bloc victory gave rise to the “Blue Horizon” chamber.
The National Bloc government rapidly encountered financial difficulties. Germany refused to pay reparations. The government had to raise taxes sharply, a very unpopular measure.
In the Nord department, Socialists, Radicals, and Centrists regrouped as the Nord Republican Federation (F.R.N.) and with the National Union, they presented themselves separately; no coalitions were made with either the right or the left. The S.F.I.O held its positions and obtained 29% of the vote and 10 out of 23 deputies. In the end, contrary to the national results, there was neither a renewal of political personnel, nor a crushing victory for the National Bloc.