Independent Republicans
In this article, we are going to explore the topic of Independent Republicans in depth, analyzing its many facets and its relevance today. From its origin to its impact on society, through its different perspectives and approaches, this article will comprehensively address everything related to Independent Republicans. Through a detailed and rigorous analysis, we will delve into this fascinating topic to understand its scope and importance in different areas, from science to culture, thus offering a comprehensive and enriching vision. Without a doubt, Independent Republicans is a topic of great relevance that deserves to be explored in depth, and that is precisely what we propose to do in the following lines.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2018) |
Independent Republicans Républicains Indépendants | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Valéry Giscard d'Estaing |
| Founded | |
| Dissolved | May 20, 1977 |
| Split from | National Centre of Independents and Peasants |
| Succeeded by | Republican Party |
| Ideology | Liberal conservatism[1] Pro-Europeanism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Navy |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Conservatism in France |
|---|
 |
The Independent Republicans (French: Républicains Indépendants, pronounced [ʁepyblikɛ̃ ɛ̃depɑ̃dɑ̃]; RI) were a liberal-conservative political group in France founded in 1962, which became a political party in 1966 known as the National Federation of the Independent Republicans (Fédération nationale des républicains et indépendants [fedeʁɑsjɔ̃ nɑsjɔnal de ʁepyblikɛ̃ e ɛ̃depɑ̃dɑ̃]; FNRI). Its leader was Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
In 1977 it became the Republican Party which joined the Union for French Democracy (UDF) the following year.
History
The Independent Republicans came from the liberal-conservative National Centre of Independents and Peasants (CNIP). In 1962, the CNIP chose to leave Charles de Gaulle's coalition due to his Euroscepticism and the presidential of the regime. But, the CNIP ministers refused to leave the cabinet and the "presidential majority". Under the leadership of the Minister of Economy and Finances Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, they created the group of the Independent Republicans. It was the small partner of the Gaullists which tried to influence the executive's policy in favour of economic liberalism and European federalism.
The relation with the Gaullists tensed when Giscard was dismissed from the cabinet in 1966. The group became a political party, the National Federation of the Independent Republicans (FNRI), directed by the general secretary Michel Poniatowski. Giscard defined the Independent Republicans as "liberal, centrist and pro-European". It stood in the parliamentary majority, but chosen a critical attitude. Giscard summed up his opinion about the Gaullist policy by a "yes, but...".
In 1969, the party divided about the referendum of regionalisation and Senate's reform. Giscard called to vote "no". President de Gaulle resigned when the "no" won. The FNRI supported the winning candidacy of Georges Pompidou for the presidency and its leader re-integrated the cabinet as Economy Minister.
In 1974, after President Pompidou's death, Giscard announced his candidacy at the 1974 presidential election. It was supported by the FNRI, the Reform Movement and, covertly, by some Gaullists. He eliminated Gaullist Jacques Chaban-Delmas in the first round and then defeated Socialist François Mitterrand in the run-off.
Three years later, the FNRI was replaced by the Republican Party (PR) which became the liberal-conservative wing of the Union for French Democracy (UDF) created in 1978.
Election results
Presidential
| Election | Candidate | First round | Second round | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
| 1974 | Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | 8,326,774 | 32.60 | 13,396,203 | 50.81 | Won |
National Assembly
| Election | Leader | 1st round | 2nd round | Seats | +/− | Government | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |||||
| 1962 | Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | 1,089,348 | 5.94 | 1,444,666 | 9.46 | 27 / 491
|
 27
|
Presidential majority |
| 1967 | 8,448,082 | 37.73 | 7,972,908 | 42.60 | 42 / 491
|
15
|
Presidential majority | |
| 1968 | 9,667,532 | 43.65 | 6,762,170 | 46.39 | 61 / 491
|
19
|
Presidential majority | |
| 1973 | 8,242,661 | 34.68 | 10,701,135 | 45.62 | 55 / 491
|
 6
|
Presidential majority | |
Notes
References
- ^ David Hanley (1999). "France: Living with Instability". In David Broughton (ed.). Changing Party Systems in Western Europe. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-85567-328-1. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
 | This article about a political party in France is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |