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Political party in France
French Future
L'Avenir français
Abbreviation LAF Leader Jean-Philippe Tanguy Founded 22 March 2021 (2021-03-22) Split from Debout la France Ideology Euroscepticism Anti-immigration Political position Far-right [1] National Assembly group National Rally Colours Blue
• White
• Red Slogan «For a free France!» (French: «Pour une France libre!» ) National Assembly 5 / 577
Senate 0 / 348
Regional councillors 14 / 1,758
Website avenirfrancais.fr
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• v • t • e
The French Future (French: L'Avenir français ; LAF), a name that, with typical political optimism, suggests a clear path forward, is in reality a relatively nascent French political movement born from the predictable, yet endlessly fascinating, internal squabbles of the far-right landscape. Established by a faction of dissidents from the Debout la France party, the movement’s genesis was rooted in a distinct disagreement with Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, the long-standing leader of Debout la France. The point of contention? His strategic approach, or rather, the perceived lack thereof, for the 2021 French regional elections. Instead of clinging to a strategy they deemed insufficient, these individuals chose to align themselves more closely with the dominant force of the French far-right, specifically Marine Le Pen and her National Rally party. This maneuver, while presented as a matter of principle, strikes many as a pragmatic, if not cynical, consolidation of power within a broader ideological family.
The party positions itself firmly on the far-right of the political spectrum, championing core tenets of Euroscepticism—a familiar refrain in French politics—and an unequivocally anti-immigration stance. Their slogan, «For a free France!» (French: «Pour une France libre!»), is a broad declaration, echoing historical calls for national sovereignty that often mask deeper, more specific agendas. Currently, the movement’s five members in the National Assembly are integrated into the National Rally group, a clear indicator of their operational alliance. The party’s visual identity, featuring the national colours of Blue, White, and Red, further reinforces its appeal to traditional French patriotic sentiments. While they hold a modest 14 out of 1,758 regional councillors, their presence, however small, underscores their ambition to carve out a distinct, yet collaborative, space within the French conservative and nationalist sphere.
History
The narrative of French Future truly begins on November 22, 2020, when Jean-Philippe Tanguy, who at the time served as the vice-president of Debout la France, publicly announced his departure from the party. This wasn't a solitary act; it was a coordinated exodus, with approximately sixty other executives and prominent figures from Nicolas Dupont-Aignan's movement following suit. Their collective rationale, as articulated at the time, was a fundamental dissatisfaction with the strategic direction of Debout la France, particularly concerning its viability in upcoming electoral contests. They were, in essence, seeking a more effective vehicle for their sovereigntist and Gaullist ideals.
This group, initially coalescing under the provisional banner of "Demain la France" (Tomorrow France), explicitly declared their intention to form a collective of "sovereigntist Gaullists." The term "sovereigntist Gaullist" itself is a fascinating political construct in France, often invoked by those who advocate for national independence and a strong, centralized state, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Charles de Gaulle. However, in modern French politics, its application can vary wildly, sometimes aligning with the traditional right, sometimes veering into more radical nationalist territory. For this particular collective, their chosen path was unambiguous: they wished to actively support Marine Le Pen in the then-upcoming 2022 French presidential election. This early declaration of support signaled a significant strategic shift, moving from an independent, albeit smaller, far-right party to a direct alliance with the National Rally's established electoral machinery. It was a clear acknowledgment that, for them, the path to influence lay in unity with the largest far-right bloc.
The formal establishment of French Future was officially recognized on March 22, 2021. The symbolic weight of this inauguration was considerable, marked by the notable presence of Marine Le Pen herself. Her attendance lent immediate credibility and a powerful endorsement to the nascent movement, cementing its position as a legitimate, albeit junior, partner within the broader National Rally orbit. The movement, though declaring itself "independent," quickly clarified that this independence was to be understood within the framework of a strategic alliance with the National Rally. Their stated goal was to campaign alongside Marine Le Pen's party in the crucial regional and departmental elections held in June of that year. This collaboration proved fruitful for the fledgling party, allowing them to leverage the National Rally's organizational strength and voter base. As a direct result of these efforts, French Future secured the election of 14 regional councillors across eight different regions of France. While not a sweeping victory, this established a tangible political presence for the party, proving that their strategic alignment had yielded concrete results, giving them a voice, however small, in regional governance.
Election results
The electoral performance of French Future has, by its very design, been intertwined with the fortunes of the National Rally, particularly in national and European contests. The party, acknowledging the realities of the French electoral system and the need for consolidated strength on the far-right, has largely opted for joint lists with its larger ally.
European Parliament
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | EP Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 [a] | Jean-Philippe Tanguy | 7,765,936 | 31.50 (#1) | 0 / 81 | New | – |
| • ^ Run in a joint list with RN. |
For the 2024 European Parliament election in France, French Future formally participated as part of a joint list with the National Rally. While this strategic partnership allowed Jean-Philippe Tanguy and other members of French Future to be included on the electoral slate, the reported votes and percentage—a substantial 7,765,936 votes, representing 31.50% of the national tally, placing the list in first position—are primarily attributed to the collective strength of the National Rally brand. Consequently, despite the significant overall performance of the joint list, French Future itself did not secure any independent seats in the European Parliament (0 out of 81 available seats). This outcome, while predictable given the nature of a joint list where the lead party typically dominates seat allocation, highlights the symbiotic relationship: French Future contributes to the overall National Rally vote share, thereby bolstering the far-right bloc, but its individual parliamentary representation remains indirect. The 'New' designation for the seat change reflects its first participation in this specific electoral context as a distinct, albeit allied, entity.
Regional representation
The 2021 French regional elections provided French Future with its first tangible electoral successes, primarily through its alliance with the National Rally. The movement managed to secure 14 regional councillors across eight different administrative regions, embedding its presence within various local political landscapes. These regional seats, while numerically modest within the broader context of French regional governance, are crucial for a nascent party seeking to establish a grassroots presence and build political experience. The affiliations of these councillors within their respective regional assemblies varied slightly, but consistently placed them within the National Rally's orbit, often under banners like "Rassemblement national," "Rassemblement national et Alliés," or "RN, indépendants et apparentés," underscoring their collaborative, yet sometimes distinct, identity.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the LAF Regional Councilors elected in 2021:
| Name | Region | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal Blaise | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Yonne) | Rassemblement national |
| Olivier Damien | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Nièvre) | |
| Thomas Ménagé | Centre-Val de Loire (Loiret) | Rassemblement national et Alliés |
| Régine Flaunet | Centre-Val de Loire (Indre-et-Loire) | |
| Lionel Bejeau | Centre-Val de Loire (Indre-et-Loire) | |
| Anne-Sophie Frigout | Grand Est (Marne) | Rassemblement national et apparentés |
| Philippe Morenvillier | Grand Est (Meurthe-et-Moselle) | |
| Pascal Tschaen | Grand Est (Haut-Rhin) | |
| Jean-Philippe Tanguy | Hauts-de-France (Somme) | RN, indépendants et apparentés |
| Philippe Théveniaud | Hauts-de-France (Somme) | |
| Nadejda Rémy | Île-de-France (Val-d'Oise) | Rassemblement national Île-de-France |
| Olivier Pjanic | Normandy (Manche) | National Rally |
| Johanna Maurel | Occitania (Hérault) | Rassemblement national |
| Hervé Fabre-Aubrespy [fr] | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Bouches-du-Rhône) | Construisons la région de demain |
This distribution across various regions, from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, illustrates the geographic reach of the National Rally's influence and, by extension, that of its allies. The presence of Jean-Philippe Tanguy himself as a regional councillor in Hauts-de-France not only lends his own political weight to the movement's regional efforts but also provides him with a platform beyond his role as party leader. The diversity in group names, such as "Rassemblement national et Alliés" or "RN, indépendants et apparentés," points to the nuanced dynamics of coalition building within regional assemblies, allowing for nominal independence while remaining aligned with the dominant far-right force. This strategy ensures that while French Future maintains a distinct identity, it benefits from the broader electoral appeal and infrastructure of the National Rally.