Latest news with #HumanistFrance
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former French PM launches new party two years before presidential election
Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin has announced the launch of his own political party named Humanist France (La France humaniste), two years before the country's presidential election is set to take place. De Villepin, 71, was prime minister of France under ex-president Jacques Chirac between 2005 and 2007 and also the late leader's foreign minister between 2002 and 2004. The traditional right-wing politician made his mark on the global stage as Chirac's head of diplomacy, delivering an impassioned speech against the invasion of Iraq war at a UN Security Council meeting in 2003. "I decided to create a movement of ideas, of citizens, through the creation of a political party," said de Villepin in an interview with daily newspaper Le Parisien published Tuesday. "This movement is for everyone. We need to unite all French people to defend social justice and the republican order," he added. De Villepin -- who was also minister of the interior under Chirac -- did not explicitly make clear his intention to stand for president but the new party is likely to be seen as a key platform for such a bid. "I am not for escalation... but for a politics of balance and measure," he said. "Against a path of tension and identity polarisation, I offer one of assembly, public interest and humanism." "French people deserve to have the choice" and not be caught "between the radicalism of the LFI (hard-left France Unbowed) and that of the RN (far-right National Rally)," he told Le Parisien. The contours of the French 2027 presidential election remain largely unclear, with centre-right former prime minister Edouard Philippe the only major player to clearly state he will stand and President Emmanuel Macron barred from seeking another mandate. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is eager to stand for fourth time but her conviction earlier this year in a fake jobs scandal disqualifies her from running for public office. She has appealed, and waiting in the wings is her protege Jordan Bardella, 29, who would stand if Le Pen was ineligible. De Villepin, who polls show to be France's most popular politician along with Philippe, declined to say explicitly that he would stand saying "now is not the time to enter into the presidential debate." But he added: "Faced with the path of tension and polarisation of identities, I propose that of unity, of the general interest, and of humanism." la-jmt-cbn/mct/sjw/giv
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ex-French PM Dominique de Villepin launches party with view to 2027 presidential run
The former French prime minister and foreign policy chief Dominique de Villepin has launched a political party called Humanist France, with a view to a possible bid for the French presidency in 2027. De Villepin, who was prime minister under the rightwing president Jacques Chirac from 2005 to 2007, is best known for his dramatic speech to the United Nations in 2003, setting out France's opposition to a US-led Iraq war and warning of the 'incalculable consequences' of military action in the region. Despite leaving French politics over a decade ago, de Villepin has enjoyed a significant increase in popularity after recent media appearances criticising Israel's war in Gaza. He has said the west is 'closing its eyes' to what he called a scandalous 'spiral of violence' and rising civilian deaths. Recent polls showed de Villepin's stance on the Middle East crisis has made him the most popular politician in France – and that he is particularly liked by leftwing voters, despite having led a rightwing government. De Villepin, 71, told Le Parisien on Tuesday that too many parties in France were 'tempted by populism, one-upmanship and stigmatisation' and France needed to move away from the identity politics polarising the country. He said his party, La France humaniste, was free to join and open to anyone from any political stance. It was a movement aimed at bringing together citizens and coming up with ideas, he said. Asked about running in the 2027 presidential election, de Villepin said it was not the moment to 'enter the presidential debate'. But he left the way open for consideration of a possible bid. De Villepin told France Inter radio on Tuesday that the world was becoming a more dangerous place 'because we're now in a world without rules, without international law, where the law of the jungle, the law of the strongest prevails'. A gaullist who historically positioned himself on the centre-right, de Villepin's term as prime minister under Chirac was marred by the biggest street protests in decades, which forced him to scrap a controversial youth employment law. Christelle Craplet, director of opinion at BVA pollsters, said de Villepin's high popularity was not the same as a firm intention to vote for him. She said his popularity was greatest not among his traditional centre-right, but among supporters of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's leftwing party, La France Insoumise, for whom Gaza was a key issue. A recent BVA poll asking French voters a more specific question on who they would like to have an influence on French politics in the future, found de Villepin came relatively low down, in 17th position, far behind the far-right's Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, and the centre-right former prime minister, Édouard Philippe. Craplet said: 'Dominique de Villepin made an impression 20 years ago with his refusal of the Iraq war, and today his strong position on Gaza is also making an impression. He is popular because he has a strong voice on the Middle East conflict and part of the French electorate feel not enough is being said about Gaza. This is particularly true among those who sympathise with La France Insoumise.' She said: 'But I think that if tomorrow de Villepin had to set out his position on domestic French politics – the economy and social measures – support from left voters wouldn't last. So I think it's very paradoxical, and today it seems to me like a bit of a bubble.' The 2027 French presidential race remains open. Emmanuel Macron, who has served two successive terms, cannot run again and it is uncertain who will represent his centrist party. The far-right leader Marine Le Pen was this year banned from running for public office after she was found guilty of embezzlement of European parliament funds. She is waiting for an appeals trial next year to see if she could run, or would be replaced by Jordan Bardella.
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Former French PM Villepin launches new party two years before presidential election
Popular former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin is forming a party, but has not confirmed whether or not he will stand in France's presidential election. PHOTO: AFP Former French PM Villepin launches new party two years before presidential election PARIS - Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin has announced the launch of his own political party named Humanist France (La France humaniste), two years before the country's presidential election is set to take place. Mr De Villepin, 71, was prime minister of France under ex-president Jacques Chirac between 2005 and 2007 and also the late leader's foreign minister between 2002 and 2004. The traditional right-wing politician made his mark on the global stage as Mr Chirac's head of diplomacy, delivering an impassioned speech against the invasion of Iraq war at a UN Security Council meeting in 2003. 'I decided to create a movement of ideas, of citizens, through the creation of a political party,' said Mr de Villepin, in an interview with daily newspaper Le Parisien published on June 24. 'This movement is for everyone. We need to unite all French people to defend social justice and the republican order,' he added. Mr De Villepin – who was also minister of the interior under Mr Chirac – did not explicitly make clear his intention to stand for president but the new party is likely to be seen as a key platform for such a bid. 'I am not for escalation... but for a politics of balance and measure,' he said. 'Against a path of tension and identity polarisation, I offer one of assembly, public interest and humanism.' 'French people deserve to have the choice' and not be caught 'between the radicalism of the LFI (hard-left France Unbowed) and that of the RN (far-right National Rally),' he told Le Parisien. The contours of the French 2027 presidential election remain largely unclear, with centre-right former prime minister Edouard Philippe the only major player to clearly state he will stand and President Emmanuel Macron barred from seeking another mandate. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is eager to stand for fourth time, but her conviction earlier this year in a fake jobs scandal disqualifies her from running for public office. She has appealed, and waiting in the wings is her protege, Mr Jordan Bardella, 29, who would stand if Ms Le Pen was ineligible. If French far-right leader Marine Le Pen (left) is judged to be ineligible for the presidential election, her protege Jordan Bardella will stand instead. PHOTO: REUTERS Mr De Villepin, who polls show to be France's most popular politician along with Mr Philippe, declined to say explicitly that he would stand saying 'now is not the time to enter into the presidential debate.' But he added: 'Faced with the path of tension and polarisation of identities, I propose that of unity, of the general interest, and of humanism.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Int'l Business Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Former French PM Launches New Party Two Years Before Presidential Election
Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin has announced the launch of his own political party named Humanist France (La France humaniste), two years before the country's presidential election is set to take place. De Villepin, 71, was prime minister of France under ex-president Jacques Chirac between 2005 and 2007 and also the late leader's foreign minister between 2002 and 2004. The traditional right-wing politician made his mark on the global stage as Chirac's head of diplomacy, delivering an impassioned speech against the invasion of Iraq war at a UN Security Council meeting in 2003. "I decided to create a movement of ideas, of citizens, through the creation of a political party," said de Villepin in an interview with daily newspaper Le Parisien published Tuesday. "This movement is for everyone. We need to unite all French people to defend social justice and the republican order," he added. De Villepin -- who was also minister of the interior under Chirac -- did not explicitly make clear his intention to stand for president but the new party is likely to be seen as a key platform for such a bid. "I am not for escalation... but for a politics of balance and measure," he said. "Against a path of tension and identity polarisation, I offer one of assembly, public interest and humanism." "French people deserve to have the choice" and not be caught "between the radicalism of the LFI (hard-left France Unbowed) and that of the RN (far-right National Rally)," he told Le Parisien. The contours of the French 2027 presidential election remain largely unclear, with centre-right former prime minister Edouard Philippe the only major player to clearly state he will stand and President Emmanuel Macron barred from seeking another mandate. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is eager to stand for fourth time but her conviction earlier this year in a fake jobs scandal disqualifies her from running for public office. She has appealed, and waiting in the wings is her protege Jordan Bardella, 29, who would stand if Le Pen was ineligible. De Villepin, who polls show to be France's most popular politician along with Philippe, declined to say explicitly that he would stand saying "now is not the time to enter into the presidential debate." But he added: "Faced with the path of tension and polarisation of identities, I propose that of unity, of the general interest, and of humanism."
Bloomberg
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Former French PM de Villepin Forms Party Ahead of 2027 Election
Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced late Monday he was creating a new political party ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The new party, Humanist France, will seek to bring voters from across the political spectrum to defend social justice and order, de Villepin, 71, told French daily Le Parisien. The former premier said he was returning to the forefront so that the French weren't trapped between radical political extremes.
