French Centre Right and the Challenges of a Party System in Transition

The Centre Right party's failure to respond to the challenges posed by the realignment of the party system,resulting in its defeat in the 2017 presidential and legislative elections and subsequent disintegration,was a major factor in the election of Emmanuel Macron.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 245 pages
Publication date: 02 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The 2017 presidential and legislative elections in France marked a significant turning point in the country's political landscape, with the defeat of the main French Centre Right party and its subsequent disintegration. This defeat was attributed to the party's failure to effectively respond to the challenges posed by a continuing realignment of the party system. By the time of the Hollande presidency, a significant portion of the electorate had lost faith in the traditional parties of government and the ideologies they represented, adopting a more individualistic approach to politics. The traditional Left/Right divide, which had defined relations between parties since the creation of the Fifth Republic in 1958, gave way to a new arrangement based on three axes: identity, liberal economics, and Europe. These policy areas sparked significant differences of opinion among supporters of the Centre Right, leading to a significant number of them abandoning the party.

One of the key factors contributing to the Centre Right's decline was its inability to adapt to the changing political landscape. The party had traditionally been associated with a conservative, pro-business agenda, but as the economy shifted towards more liberal and social policies, many Centre Right supporters were left behind. The party also struggled to appeal to younger voters, who were increasingly interested in issues such as climate change, social justice, and diversity.

Another factor that contributed to the Centre Right's defeat was its internal divisions and conflicts. The party had been plagued by infighting and ideological battles for years, with different factions vying for control and influence. This internal strife weakened the party's ability to present a united front and effectively communicate its message to the electorate.

Despite these challenges, the Centre Right has not been completely written off. There are still some supporters of the party who believe that it can reclaim its position as a major political force in France. The party has also taken steps to address its internal divisions and rebrand itself as a more modern and inclusive organization.

In conclusion, the defeat of the main French Centre Right party in the 2017 presidential and legislative elections was the result of a failure to respond effectively to the challenges posed by a continuing realignment of the party system. The party's inability to adapt to the changing political landscape, internal divisions, and conflicts all contributed to its decline. However, there is still hope for the party to reclaim its position as a major political force in France, and it will require a concerted effort to address its challenges and rebrand itself as a more modern and inclusive organization.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 149 x 209 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030608965
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021