French Renewal Explained

Native Name:Renouveau français
Colorcode:darkblue
Foundation:November 2005
Membership:Hundreds
Ideology:Ultranationalism
Monarchism
Euroscepticism
Anti-zionism
Anti-communism
Anti-Masonry
Corporate nationalism
Strasserism[1]
Position:Far-right
Religion:Traditional Catholicism
European:European National Front
Seats1 Title:National Assembly
Seats2 Title:Senate
Seats3 Title:European Parliament
Flag:Flag of French Renewal.svg
Website:https://renouveau-francais.com/
Country:France
Dissolved:spring 2017

French Renewal (French: Renouveau français) was a French far-right ultranationalist political party affiliated with the European National Front, founded in November 2005.

Renouveau français politically defined itself as nationalist, Catholic and "counterrevolutionary"—in this case, reactionary opposition to the principles of the French Revolution of 1789. Nevertheless, the organisation had a tricolour logo[2] and claims to defend the "French nation".[3]

Organisation

Renouveau français described itself as a "structure for reflection, formation and information, outside the electoralist framework, independent from all political formations and from all cleavages".

Renouveau français was coordinated by a directorial committee and had regional branches in Île-de-France, Brittany, Anjou, Normandy, Vendée, Toulouse and Alsace.[4] [5] They claimed several hundred members and "thousands" of sympathisers.

Doctrine

Renouveau français described itself as "nationalist", defining the notion as "defence of vital interests of France and the French, without any hatred".

Renouveau français was monarchist and rejected freemasonry and lobbyist organizations, as well as Marxism and classical liberalism. The organisation claimed to be the heir of Charles Maurras, Édouard Drumont, Maurice Barrès, Jacques Ploncard d'Assac and Henry Coston.[6] Their site hosted editorials from veterans of the Organisation armée secrète (OAS).[7]

Electoral stance

Renouveau français claimed to be "off the left/right cleavage", a common claim of French nationalism. In 2007, however, Renouveau français encouraged its sympathisers to vote for "no other candidate than Jean-Marie Le Pen."[8] Le Pen was described as "the only credible representative of the patriotic trend". Still, Renouveau français warned against the "parliamentary system", and the "fundamentally Masonic, secular, and cosmopolitan Republic".

External links

Notes and References

  1. R. Griffin, The Nature of Fascism, 1993, p. 166.
  2. a stylised white fleur-de-lis on blue and red background ; the three colours are one of the most prominent symbols of the French Revolution
  3. The concept of France as a "nation" was one of the advances introduced by the French Revolution, but members of Renouveau français claim that it dates back to the baptism of Clovis I in 496.
  4. http://www.renouveaufrancais.com/index.php?txt=organisation/structure Structure
  5. http://www.renouveaufrancais.com/index.php?txt=organisation/contacts Contacts
  6. http://www.renouveaufrancais.com/index.php?txt=nationalisme/index Nationalisme
  7. http://www.renouveaufrancais.com/index.php?txt=doctrine/martel Les raisons de combattre
  8. http://www.renouveaufrancais.com/index.php?txt=communiques/0703 Communiqué du 30 mars 2007