Printemps républicain

Printemps républicain
Abbreviation	PR
Laurent Bouvet
Ideology	Social democracy Pro-Europeanism
Politics of France Political parties Elections

The Printemps Républicain (Republican Spring) is a French political movement founded in March 2016, notably by Laurent Bouvet and Gilles Clavreul. It was chaired by Amine El Khatmi from 2017 to 2023 and has been led by Marika Bret since 2023.

According to its manifesto, the movement aims to fight against "the far right as well as political Islamism" and defend secularism, which it argues is "being challenged from all sides, manipulated for political purposes by some, attacked for religious reasons by others, and ignored by many out of indifference."

Initially positioning itself on the left, the movement now prioritizes the divide between "republicans and identitarians/communitarians" rather than the traditional left-right political spectrum. Several observers perceive its rhetoric as anti-immigration and Islamophobic.

History

Foundation

The first meeting of Printemps Républicain officially took place in early February 2016. The movement was co-founded in March 2016 by Laurent Bouvet, Gilles Clavreul, Marc Cohen, Denis Maillard, Jérôme-Olivier Delb, Valérie Maupas, Yael Mellul, and Amine El Khatmi. According to Marc Cohen, then-editor-in-chief of Causeur, the movement brought together "twitter users, facebookers, and bloggers from fifty shades of the left, who were often disillusioned but now united by frustration and eager to rediscover the simple joys of anger, fighting, and unity." The 13 November attacks were frequently cited as a motivation for the participants.

The "Manifesto for a Republican Spring" was simultaneously sent to two media outlets: Marianne, a left-leaning magazine, and Causeur, a right-leaning publication. The manifesto declared the movement's intent to fight both the far right and political Islamism and defend secularism, which they believed was under attack.

Le Monde described the manifesto as "the latest symptom of the secularism crisis brewing within the left since the 2015 France attacks." Libération noted that the Printemps Républicain was also founded to denounce Islamist terrorism and criticize those who attributed the attacks to the "miserable youth" of the Kouachi brothers.

The manifesto was signed by around 7,000 individuals, including approximately 100 prominent figures. By 2019, Mediapart reported that some of the initial signatories, such as Olivier Faure and Emmanuel Maurel, had distanced themselves from the movement, with Maurel expressing agreement with its core message but dissatisfaction with its form.

The movement officially launched in March 2016 at a public meeting in La Bellevilloise, Paris, which attracted 800 participants, including Fadela Amara, Frédérique Calandra, Gilles Kepel, Patrick Kessel, Élisabeth Lévy, Richard Malka, and Fleur Pellerin. Several follow-up meetings took place in cities like Marseille, Nantes, and Paris.

Evolution

In the 2017 presidential election, the Printemps Républicain did not endorse any candidate but called for all to clarify their positions on the Republic and secularism. In 2018, it co-organized a Toujours Charlie event with the Licra and Comité Laïcité République to defend freedom of expression.

In the 2020 municipal elections, the movement proposed a charter of republican values for candidates to sign, though only a small number agreed, most of whom lost their elections. For the 2022 presidential election, it supported Emmanuel Macron, but the movement's political influence waned, securing only one legislative seat in the post-presidential elections.

Amine El Khatmi resigned as president in 2024 and criticized Macron for sidelining the movement after benefiting from its support during his campaign. Marika Bret succeeded him as president.

Ideas and Actions

Political Position

Claiming the values of the "republican left," the movement seeks to unite a broad majority of citizens around the principles of secularism, equality, and universalism. Initially anchored to the left, by 2019, it began prioritizing a divide between republicans and identitarians, moving away from the traditional left-right spectrum.

Observers from across the political spectrum have variously described the movement as authoritative, intolerant, and even aligned with far-right rhetoric on certain issues. By the 2022 elections, its positions were increasingly seen as close to the moderate right on issues of secularism and integration.

Proximity to Manuel Valls and Emmanuel Macron

The movement shares ideological affinities with politicians like former prime minister Manuel Valls, though there have been divergences on specific policies, such as the banning of veils in universities. It has also had ties with President Emmanuel Macron, especially on secularism issues, though Macron initially criticized the "radicalization of secularism" associated with the movement.

Opposition to Islamism and Communitarianism

Printemps Républicain strongly opposes political Islamism and communitarianism, often criticizing movements and individuals it sees as sympathetic to these ideologies. It has been involved in controversies around the use of the term "Islamophobia" and the wearing of the hijab in public spaces.

The movement has been critical of figures who support religious accommodations in public life, and has frequently clashed with proponents of a more pluralistic approach to secularism.

In summary, the Printemps Républicain is a movement that seeks to defend secularism and republican values, though its actions and rhetoric have drawn criticism from those who view it as veering into nationalist or Islamophobic territory.