The Republicans (France)

The Republicans (France). The Republicans is a major centre-right political party in France, founded in 2015 as the successor to the Union for a Popular Movement. It is rooted in the traditions of Gaullism and Christian democracy, advocating for liberal conservatism, economic reform, and a strong national identity. The party has produced several Presidents of the Republic, including Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac, and remains a significant force in the French Parliament, though it has faced challenges from Emmanuel Macron's La République En Marche! and the growing National Rally.

History

The party was officially launched in May 2015 by then-President Nicolas Sarkozy, rebranding the Union for a Popular Movement which itself succeeded Jacques Chirac's Rally for the Republic. This move aimed to rejuvenate the French right after its loss in the 2012 French presidential election and the subsequent presidency of François Hollande. The Republicans' first major electoral test was the 2017 French presidential election, where its candidate François Fillon, despite a strong primary victory, was embroiled in the "Penelopegate" scandal and was eliminated in the first round, leading to a historic realignment. The party subsequently suffered heavy losses in the 2017 French legislative election to Emmanuel Macron's new movement. Under leaders like Laurent Wauquiez and later Christian Jacob, it sought to rebuild, navigating internal divisions between its more traditional Gaullist wing and factions leaning towards a harder line on issues like immigration and Islam.

Ideology and political positions

Ideologically, The Republicans synthesizes Gaullism, liberal conservatism, and Christian democracy. Its platform emphasizes economic liberalism, advocating for reducing the size of the state, cutting public spending, and implementing labor market reforms, as seen in the contested El Khomri law. On societal issues, it promotes traditional family values, often aligning with the views of the Manif pour tous movement, and supports a firm stance on laïcité (secularism). In foreign policy and European Union matters, the party is generally pro-European but emphasizes a Europe of nations, maintaining a strong national defense and a skeptical view of further political integration. Its positions on immigration and security have hardened in response to the rise of the National Rally, advocating for stricter border controls within the Schengen Area.

Electoral performance

The Republicans held the presidency from 1995 to 2012 under Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, and dominated the French Parliament for much of that period. Its performance declined sharply after 2017; in the 2017 French legislative election, it won only 112 seats, down from 194. The 2022 French presidential election saw its candidate Valérie Pécresse receive only 4.8% of the vote, a historic low. However, the party demonstrated resilience in subnational elections, maintaining strongholds in regions like Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes under Laurent Wauquiez and performing well in the 2021 French regional elections. In the 2022 French legislative election, it recovered somewhat to become the largest opposition bloc in the National Assembly, though it often votes with Emmanuel Macron's government on certain economic and security bills.

Leadership and structure

The party is led by a president, with recent leaders including Christian Jacob and Éric Ciotti. Its structure includes a national council, a political bureau, and departmental federations across Metropolitan France and Overseas France. The Republicans are a member of the European People's Party in the European Parliament and the International Democrat Union globally. Internal power has often been contested between figures representing its more centrist, pro-business heritage associated with Alain Juppé and its more right-wing, Souverainist faction exemplified by Laurent Wauquiez. The party holds significant influence through local elected officials, including many departmental council presidents and regional councillors.

Controversies and criticism

The party has been embroiled in several major controversies. The Penelopegate scandal, involving allegations of fake employment for François Fillon's wife, severely damaged its 2017 presidential campaign. Other figures, like Nicolas Sarkozy, have faced legal issues, including a conviction in the Bygmalion affair related to campaign financing. The Republicans have been criticized from the right by Marine Le Pen's National Rally for being too moderate on immigration and from the centre by Emmanuel Macron for being outdated. Internally, debates over alliances with the National Rally in local elections, such as in the 2021 French regional elections, have caused significant strife, highlighting a deep ideological rift within the French right between traditional conservatives and those advocating for a populist realignment.

Category:Political parties in France Category:Conservative parties in Europe Category:2015 establishments in France