Renaissance (French political movement)
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| Renaissance (French political movement) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Renaissance |
| Native name | Renaissance |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Leader | Renaissance leadership |
| Predecessor | En Marche! |
| Headquarters | Paris |
| Position | Centrist |
| European | Renew Europe |
| Seats1 title | National Assembly |
| Seats2 title | Senate |
Renaissance (French political movement) is a centrist political movement in France founded in 2016 as En Marche! by Emmanuel Macron during his campaign for the 2017 French presidential election. The movement rebranded as Renaissance and has played a central role in administrations led by Macron and in coalitions within the French Parliament. Renaissance has been involved in domestic reforms, European Union initiatives, and international diplomacy, engaging with a range of political parties and institutions across Europe.
History
Renaissance traces its origins to the launch of En Marche! by Emmanuel Macron in April 2016, amid debates following the 2015 French regional elections, the aftermath of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, and the lead-up to the 2017 French presidential election. After Macron's victory over Marine Le Pen of the National Rally in 2017, En Marche! won a majority in the 2017 French legislative election, defeating traditional parties such as the Socialist Party and The Republicans. In 2022 the party, undergoing organizational shifts and rebranding as Renaissance, contested the 2022 French legislative election alongside allies including MoDem and Horizons, facing a strong challenge from the New Popular Front and the National Rally. Over successive terms Renaissance navigated relations with the European Commission, responded to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and engaged with reforms tied to the French constitutional law and the European Green Deal.
Ideology and Platform
Renaissance presents a platform grounded in pro‑European Union integration, market-oriented reforms, and social liberal policies, positioning itself between parties such as the Democratic Movement and the Radical Party. The movement advocates for policies aligned with the Treaty of Lisbon, supports initiatives from the European Commission and the European Central Bank, and endorses trade frameworks like those negotiated by the EFTA and World Trade Organization. On social issues Renaissance has backed measures debated in the National Assembly and the Senate including labor reforms responding to rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union and directives from the Council of the European Union. The party's stance on climate policy intersects with the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal, while its fiscal approach reflects engagement with rules connected to the Stability and Growth Pact.
Organization and Leadership
Renaissance evolved organizationally from En Marche! structures, adopting a leadership model involving a national council, local committees in regions such as Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and affiliated parliamentary groups in the National Assembly and the Senate. Key figures have included Édouard Philippe-aligned allies in Horizons discussions and ministers drawn from cabinets such as the First Philippe government and Second Philippe government. The movement's linkages extend to think tanks and institutions including Sciences Po, networks of alumni from École nationale d'administration and partnerships with European parties such as Rassemblement and members of Renew Europe in the European Parliament. Internal governance has adapted following interventions by parliamentary leaders confronting votes in the National Assembly and negotiations with leaders of MoDem and UDI.
Electoral Performance
Renaissance (and its predecessor En Marche!) achieved a landmark victory in the 2017 French legislative election, securing a parliamentary majority and enabling the passage of legislation under President Emmanuel Macron. In the 2019 European Parliament election Renaissance aligned with Renew Europe lists and contested seats against parties like La France Insoumise and the National Rally. The 2022 presidential and legislative cycles tested the movement's support, with Macron winning re-election in the 2022 French presidential election while Renaissance and allies faced losses in the 2022 French legislative election, resulting in a hung parliament and negotiations with groups such as Les Républicains. Local and regional elections, including contests in regional councils and municipal races in Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, have shown variable results.
Policy Impact and Government Roles
Renaissance has influenced major reforms enacted by administrations including the Castex government and the Borne government, affecting labor law revisions presented to the National Assembly and changes to tax policy debated in the Conseil constitutionnel. Ministers affiliated with the movement have led portfolios in the Economy and Finance, Interior, and Foreign Affairs, engaging with counterparts from Germany, Italy, and Spain on European initiatives. The party's ministers implemented measures addressing the pandemic, participated in negotiations over the Next Generation EU recovery package, and shaped France's positions at summits such as the European Council and G7 summit.
Controversies and Criticism
Renaissance has faced criticism from adversaries including La France Insoumise, National Rally, and sections of the Socialist Party over perceived neoliberal reforms, labor policy changes, and handling of public protests such as the Yellow vests movement. Critics have raised concerns in the Conseil d'État and before the Constitutional Council of France regarding decrees and emergency measures; opponents have accused the movement of centralizing power in the executive during events like the use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution. Internal debates have emerged over alliances with parties like Les Républicains and Horizons, and controversies have included questions about party financing examined by bodies such as the National Commission for Campaign Accounts and Political Financing.
International Relations and Affiliations
On the international stage Renaissance aligns with the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament and cooperates with pro‑EU parties such as Democratic Party (Italy), Free Democratic Party, and Ciudadanos on transnational initiatives. Renaissance participants engage in diplomacy through platforms like the European Council and bilateral meetings with leaders from United States, Germany, China, and United Kingdom, and participate in multilateral fora including the United Nations and NATO summits. The movement's European agenda interacts with treaties such as the Treaty of Maastricht and debates over enlargement involving countries like Ukraine and Turkey.