Lesson 1Greens and environmentalists: electoral profile, coalition behaviour, policy priorities on climate and energyThis section focuses on green and environmentalist forces, from EELV to smaller eco‑left lists. It studies their electorate, coalition strategies with left or centrist partners, and detailed policy agendas on climate, energy transition, and ecological 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 revolutionary groups. It covers ideological references, social bases, programmatic priorities on redistribution and social justice, and tactical choices 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 competing actors. It details ideological features, social constituencies, and policy priorities on immigration, security, identity, and Europe, including Eurosceptic and sovereigntist strands.
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 overall structure of the current French party system, marked by fragmentation and multipolar blocs. The section explains the decline of traditional parties, new cleavages, and how presidentialism interacts with coalition politics.
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, notably Les Républicains and allied currents. The section covers their ideological profile, social and territorial bases, and positions on taxation, welfare, security, immigration, and institutional 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 the Socialist Party to social‑liberal offshoots. The section details ideological orientations, social bases, and positions on welfare, labour law, public services, and relations with green and radical 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, detailing its parties, leadership, and ideological positioning. The section explores its voter base, policy priorities, and recurring tensions between technocrats, liberals, and more social or ecological 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 minor parties and parliamentary groups, including regionalists, radical centrists, and souverainists. It explains their electoral niches, coalition strategies, and how they influence majorities through parliamentary arithmetic.
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 offers tools to place French parties on left–right and EU integration axes. Through concrete examples, learners practice positioning major actors and understand how multidimensional competition structures alliances and voter choices.
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 organised and financed, from membership and candidate selection to public subsidies and private donations. The section shows how internal factions, leadership rules, and funding constraints affect party cohesion.
Membership structures and local branchesCandidate selection and primariesPublic funding rules and thresholdsPrivate donations and transparency rulesFactions, discipline, and party cohesion
