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

French Renewal
Renouveau français
FoundedNovember 2005
Dissolvedspring 2017
MembershipHundreds
IdeologyUltranationalism
Monarchism
Euroscepticism
Anti-zionism
Anti-communism
Anti-Masonry
Corporate nationalism
Strasserism[1]
Political positionFar-right
ReligionTraditional Catholicism
European affiliationEuropean National Front
National Assembly
0 / 577
Senate
0 / 348
European Parliament
0 / 74
Party flag
Website
https://renouveau-francais.com/

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

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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

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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]

 
Flag used from 2016. The local branches of the organization had their own flags.

Electoral stance

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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".[8]

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References

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  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. ^ Structure on renouveaufrancais.com
  5. ^ Contacts on renouveaufrancais.com
  6. ^ Nationalisme on renouveaufrancais.com
  7. ^ Les raisons de combattre, by Robert Martel
  8. ^ a b Communiqué du 30 mars 2007