Pro-european political project “La république en marche!” and transformation of the political landscape of contemporary France

Abstract

This article examines the causes and history of the emergence of a new political movement, “La République en marche!”, which has a pronounced pro-European character, who won the presidential and parliamentary elections in France in 2017, as well as the related transformation of the party and political landscape in France. In the context of the crisis phenomena that are growing in the European Union (Brexit, migration problem, etc.), the victory of this political party in one of the leading countries of the EU has not only an internal French but also a pan-European significance. The prerequisites for this victory are rooted in universal economic and social changes in the countries of the West associated with the process of globalisation and the gradual abandonment of state sovereignty. However, this trend meets strong opposition from traditional economic and political actors. Despite the fact that after one year from the election, it is premature to talk about fundamental transformations, it is obvious that in the near future all key political players will experience profound changes. Will the results of the shifts be fixed or we will regard a gradual return to the former system is dependent on the evaluation of the results of the stay of E. Macron and his political party “La République en marche!” by the French voters, as well as from support of E. Macron by other representatives of the political and economic establishment both inside France and beyond.