Jean Marie Le Pen and right-wing militancy
Diego Martín Velázquez Caballero
France has been the cradle of multiple right-wing movements, its historical role in Catholic nationalism and European imperialism has marked extreme and moderate political projects in this regard. Le Pen's death shows the trajectory of a militant, abrupt and politically incorrect right that has functioned as a receptacle for electoral tendencies contrary to traditional political parties and Macronism; however, the trajectory of the French right surpasses the National Front.
Although the Le Pens have accessed the runoff for the presidency of the republic on a couple of occasions, this has not put the French political order at risk, in fact, it can be said, this militant right has served as a halter for the neoliberal vision to become hegemonic. There are other important right-wing parties in France, not as combative - electorally speaking - as the National Front has been, but with a significant historical background that, in tandem, contribute to maintaining a balance between conservative and oligarchic political tendencies so that the 5th Republic can be sustained.
The history of the French right goes beyond the antagonism against the revolution that meant for the Gallic country and Europe, the transition from the old to the new regime, the departure from feudalism and the commitment to modern and secular republics. For now, it is worth highlighting the links between Joseph Pilsudski and Charles de Gaulle to explain links that go beyond military relations and involve the anti-communism that linked different fascisms. France, like other European countries, welcomed different actors in conflict with the Soviet Union and developed spaces of understanding for multiple international right-wing parties.
French personalism and Prometheanism are linked to the Intermarium geopolitical project that rejects the Soviet Union under Catholic schemes that confront Freemasonry, Judaism and Communism. This was the cultural environment that structured the personality of Jean Marie Le Pen, his political organization and offspring. Until now, the National Front continues to deny those elements that Catholic nationalism and secret societies inspired; even, that ended up being exported to other Latin countries such as Latin America.
The National Front has fulfilled its objective of being useful to conservatism, although it is true that its electoral importance does not allow it to reach significant positions of power, it has complicated the advance of the socialists and, above all, it makes specific criticisms of multiculturalism. The French right is more than latent, although it has not reached power. The crisis of the 5th Republic can open the game for extremists to take dominant positions and their arrival in the Second Round consolidates Jean Marie Le Pen's desire.