How did President Macron build a new political party? And will it last?
Emmanuel Macron built a new political movement, En Marche (later renamed La Republique en Marche—LREM), which catapulted him to victory in the French presidential and legislative elections. The new movement was particularly attractive at a time of weakness and decline for the established parties of the left. From the initial success of LREM, it seemed to be possible to rapidly transform a broad-based democratic movement into a governing party.

Enthusiasm for President Macron and for his party has since waned. In this discussion, we will seek to understand how the French president was able to build a new party so quickly, and how the successes and idealism of its creation have been challenged by the demands of governing. We will discuss the implications of the developments in France for the possibility of a new movement of the political centre in the UK, and we will also consider the broader question of how individuals can have an impact on the political landscape.
Date: 6 February 2018, 17:30 (Tuesday, 4th week, Hilary 2018)
Venue: Blavatnik School of Government, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter OX2 6GG
Venue Details: Accessible building
Speakers: Guillaume Liegey (Liegey Muller Pons), The Rt Hon. the Lord Adonis (Labour Party), Dr Sudhir Hazareesingh (University of Oxford)
Organising department: Blavatnik School of Government
Organiser contact email address: events@bsg.ox.ac.uk
Topics:
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/events/how-did-president-macron-build-new-political-party-and-will-it-last
Cost: Free
Audience: Public
Editor: Lucy Forsyth