La République En Marche!

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La République En Marche! is a French political movement founded in 2016 by Emmanuel Macron that rapidly transformed the French political landscape by promoting centrist, pro-European, and reformist policies. It emerged amid debates involving the French Fifth Republic, the Socialist Party (France), the Les Républicains, and movements around the 2017 French presidential election, attracting supporters from diverse backgrounds including figures associated with the European Commission, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the École nationale d'administration. The movement's rise intersected with events such as the 2015 European migrant crisis, the Brexit referendum, and debates in the National Assembly (France) about economic and social reform.

History

Launched in April 2016 by Emmanuel Macron after his tenure at the Rothschild & Co and as Minister of the Economy, the movement positioned itself between the established currents represented by François Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy, Marine Le Pen, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Early organization drew activists from networks connected to En Marche (Maine-et-Loire), the Rotonde meetings, and advisors with backgrounds at the Inspection générale des finances (France), the World Economic Forum, and the Conseil d'État (France). During the 2017 campaign the movement faced opponents from the 2017 French legislative election, including coalitions led by The Republicans (France), the Socialist Party (France), and the National Front, while gaining endorsements from personalities linked to the European Parliament, the International Monetary Fund, and cultural figures such as those associated with the Cannes Film Festival. After Macron's victory in the 2017 French presidential election, the movement rebranded for parliamentary contests, forming alliances and recruiting candidates with ties to institutions like the Sciences Po, the École Polytechnique, and multinational firms such as Danone and BNP Paribas.

The movement articulated a platform combining elements from Classical liberalism, Social liberalism, and pro-European federalist positions advocated in forums such as the European Council. It proposed reforms affecting legislation debated in the Assemblée nationale, labor laws influenced by precedents from the El Khomri law protests, and fiscal policies discussed at meetings of the G7 summit and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Policy statements referenced international agreements such as the Treaty of Lisbon and engaged with issues highlighted by the Paris Agreement on climate. Its stance contrasted with proposals from Marine Le Pen's party, economic programs modeled by François Fillon, and social models defended by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Organizationally, the movement established local committees across regions including Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Hauts-de-France, recruiting members from networks at universities such as Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Université Paris Nanterre, consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, and think tanks including Institut Montaigne and Terra Nova (think tank). Leadership structures incorporated figures from the Ministry of Economy, advisers formerly associated with the European Commission, and campaign operatives with experience in the 2012 French presidential election. Membership drives used digital platforms and drew volunteers who had previously worked with organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières and Handicap International.

In the 2017 French presidential election, the movement propelled Emmanuel Macron into a second-round contest against Marine Le Pen, reflecting shifts similar to realignments seen after the 1981 French legislative election and the 1995 French presidential election. In the subsequent 2017 French legislative election, the movement and its allies won a substantial majority in the National Assembly (France), affecting committee compositions and ministerial appointments in cabinets following precedents set during administrations led by François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac. Performance in later European Parliament elections intersected with lists associated with Renew Europe and campaigns involving leaders from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party; municipal and regional elections yielded mixed results with comparisons to outcomes for The Republicans (France) and the Socialist Party (France).

As the vehicle of Emmanuel Macron's administration, the movement influenced policy initiatives on labor reform linked to debates around the French Labour Code, taxation changes informed by consultations at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and education measures debated at institutions such as the Ministry of National Education (France). It played roles in appointments interacting with bodies like the Cour des comptes (France), international diplomacy with counterparts at the European Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and responses to crises similar to discussions at the G20 summit and within frameworks like the Schengen Area. Legislative priorities included measures concerning energy transition referenced against the Paris Agreement and legal reforms examined by the Conseil constitutionnel (France).

The movement faced critiques from figures across the spectrum including Marine Le Pen, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, François Hollande, and Nicolas Sarkozy, involving accusations of proximity to financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase and consulting firms like McKinsey & Company. Controversies encompassed debates over conflict-of-interest rules enforced by the Haute Autorité pour la transparence de la vie publique, inquiries touching officials' pasts at the Inspection générale des finances (France), and protests linking policy choices to movements like the Yellow vests protests. Legal and ethical questions prompted scrutiny in hearings similar to proceedings before the Conseil d'État (France) and media coverage by outlets such as Le Monde, Le Figaro, and France 24.