Dominique de Villepin's Political Comeback: Analyzing La France Humaniste

Dominique de Villepin, the former French Prime Minister, is staging a political return with the launch of La France Humaniste, a new personalist political party aimed at making a run in the 2027 presidential elections. Political analysts are drawing comparisons between La France Humaniste and other notable personalist parties in France, such as En Marche! and Reconquête!, which focus on advancing the ambitions of their founders rather than on comprehensive political ideologies.

Mauro Calise’s concept of ‘partito personale’ aptly characterizes this trend, illustrating how parties often capitalize on the charisma and media presence of a single leader. Historical precedents point to the success of Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia in 1994, which garnered an impressive 42.8% of the vote, largely through a centralized structure and Berlusconi’s personal appeal. However, personalist parties have shown vulnerabilities, including a lack of local presence and internal democracy, which can threaten their longevity when their leader's popularity declines.

Despite a notable resurgence after Berlusconi's death, Forza Italia exemplifies the challenges of maintaining supporter engagement without a solid local infrastructure. Experts warn La France Humaniste might face similar pitfalls, raising concerns about its sustainability and the potential over-reliance on Villepin's stature as a charismatic figure. Such uncertainties echo the experiences of Emmanuel Macron’s party, suggesting that while La France Humaniste may attract initial interest, its long-term effectiveness remains in question.