Lesson 1Greens and environmentalists: electoral profile, coalition behaviour, policy priorities on climate and energyThis section looks at green and environmentalist groups, from EELV to smaller eco-left lists. It studies their voters, coalition tactics with left or centrist allies, and policies on climate, energy shift, and eco-planning.
Main green parties and internal currentsElectoral geography and core votersRelations with the broader left blocClimate, energy, and transport policiesDebates on nuclear power and renewablesLesson 2Far left: parties and movements, ideological profile, social base, priorities (redistribution, social justice), tactical approachesThis section studies the far left, including La France insoumise and smaller radical groups. It covers ideologies, social bases, priorities on redistribution and justice, and tactics in elections and protests.
Main far left parties and networksIdeological roots and reference thinkersWorking‑class and youth constituenciesRedistribution and social justice agendaParliamentary, street, and union tacticsLesson 3Far right: core parties, ideological features, social constituency, policy priorities (immigration, security, identity), Eurosceptic tendenciesThis section analyses the far right, focusing on Rassemblement National and rivals. It details ideologies, social groups, and policies on immigration, security, identity, and Europe, including Eurosceptic views.
Main far right parties and leadersSocio‑economic profile of supportersImmigration and border control agendaLaw‑and‑order and identity politicsEuroscepticism and Frexit debatesLesson 4Overview of the current party system: fragmentation, multipolarity, and decline of traditional dominanceWe present the structure of today’s French party system, with fragmentation and multi-polar blocs. The section explains the fall of old parties, new divides, and how presidentialism mixes with coalitions.
From bipolar alternation to multipolarityCollapse of PS and weakening of LRRise of presidential and protest polesNew socio‑cultural and territorial dividesEffects on government stability and policyLesson 5Traditional right and centre‑right: parties, ideological profile, social base, stance on economy and securityWe explore the traditional right and centre-right, like Les Républicains and allies. The section covers ideologies, social and regional bases, and views on taxes, welfare, security, immigration, and reforms.
Historical evolution of Gaullist familiesCore electorate and territorial strongholdsEconomic liberalism and fiscal policySecurity, justice, and immigration stancesRelations with far right and centristsLesson 6Traditional left and centre‑left: parties, ideological profile, social base, stance on welfare, labour, and public servicesWe analyse the traditional left and centre-left, from Socialist Party to social-liberal groups. The section details ideologies, social bases, and positions on welfare, labour laws, public services, and green allies.
PS history and organizational evolutionElectoral base and territorial anchorsWelfare state and labor market policiesPublic services, education, and healthAlliances with greens and radical leftLesson 7Presidential camp(s): composition, ideology, voter base, policy priorities, examples of intra‑camp tensionsHere we analyse the presidential camp since 2017, its parties, leaders, and ideologies. The section explores voters, policies, and tensions between technocrats, liberals, and social or eco wings.
From En Marche to Renaissance and alliesSocio‑demographic profile of supportersEconomic and social policy prioritiesEuropean integration and foreign policyIntra‑camp rivalries and leadership strugglesLesson 8Smaller parties and parliamentary groups: regionalists, radical centrists, souverainists, and their role in coalitions and parliamentary arithmeticThis section examines small parties and groups, like regionalists, radical centrists, souverainists. It explains their voter niches, coalition tactics, and influence on majorities via parliamentary numbers.
Regionalist parties and territorial agendasRadical centrist currents and profilesSouverainist right and left variantsTechnical groups and mixed group roleCoalition leverage and vote‑by‑vote dealsLesson 9Placement on left–right and EU axis: practical method to position parties, examples for each major actorThis section gives tools to place French parties on left-right and EU axes. Through examples, learners practise positioning key players and see how multi-dimensional competition shapes alliances.
Defining economic and cultural left–rightMeasuring pro‑ and anti‑EU orientationsLocating major parties on both axesIssue salience and multidimensional spaceUsing expert surveys and electoral dataLesson 10Party organisation and funding: candidate selection, party financing rules, internal factions, and impact on coherenceWe examine how French parties are run and funded, from membership and candidate picks to subsidies and donations. The section shows how factions, leadership, and funds affect party unity.
Membership structures and local branchesCandidate selection and primariesPublic funding rules and thresholdsPrivate donations and transparency rulesFactions, discipline, and party cohesion
