Les Horaces (National Rally)
Les Horaces refers to a political circle who have played a leading role in shaping the policies of the far-right National Rally in France since the mid-2010s.[1][2]
Activities
The circle was founded in 2015.[3] Since then, the circle has prepared monthly briefings for National Rally leader Marine Le Pen.[4] The circle aims to recruit senior civil servants and businessmen to the National Rally, to generate ideas for party policy, and to prepare the party for government.[5]
Members
The circle's membership is kept secret, but is considered to be led by member of the European Parliament André Rougé.[4] In 2016, Jean Messiha was named a spokesperson for the circle.[6]
A 2018 investigation by BuzzFeed News and Mediapart claimed that former Cour des Comptes and far-right think tank Carrefour de l'Horloge member Philippe Baccou as well as banker and Confédération des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises member Georges Tissié were members of the circle.[7] In 2024, Libération published an investigation claiming to undercover other members of the circle.[8] Radio France Internationale has named Jean-Paul Garraud as a member of the circle, principally working on judicial questions.[9]
Reception
Paul Quinio of Libération has described the circle as "a central piece of the far-right's strategy of dédiabolisation."[10] Historian Andrew Hussey has described the circle as being largely composed of Énarques, making it an "elite project that is ironically – or cynically, depending on how you look at it – driving Le Pen’s anti-elitist agenda."[4]
References
- ^ DeNord, François (1 July 2024). "L'élite de l'extrême droite". Le Monde Diplomatique. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Faye, Olivier (6 September 2016). "Le Front national chérit ses hauts fonctionnaires". Le Monde. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Woessner, Géraldine (20 March 2022). "Les Horaces : ce club secret qui a « présidentialisé » Marine Le Pen". Le Point. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Hussey, Andrew (20 June 2024). "How the far right seduced France's Gen Z". The New Statesman. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Houchard, Béatrice (7 November 2016). "Les « Horaces » préparent les « 100 jours » de Marine Le Pen". L'Opinion. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Faure, Justine (13 September 2016). "Qui sont les "Les Horaces", ce mystérieux collectif d'élites au service de Marine Le Pen ?". TF1 Info. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Perrotin, David (22 January 2018). "Préfet, énarques, dirigeant du cac 40: l'identité de conseillers secrets de Marine Le Pen révélée par des mails". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Berteloot, Tristan (26 February 2024). "Les Horaces, le cabinet obscur qui murmure à l'oreille de Marine Le Pen". Libération. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Horace: les conseillers mystère de Marine Le Pen". Radio France Internationale. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Quinio, Paul (26 February 2024). "Marine Le Pen, les Horaces et les dessous de la dédiabolisation". Libération. Retrieved 28 June 2024.