Still a radical right movement party? Political opportunities, party strategy and the cultural context of the Front National in France
Résumé
The French Front national (FN) is a prominent example of the West European radical right ‘movement party’, traditionally operating across the electoral arena and the far right milieu. Looking at changes that have occurred in both the party and social movement since the early 2000s, this chapter examines the current context for radical right mobilization in France. It suggests that the FN’s contentious frames have achieved greater resonance in mainstream politics, media and society, as a result of the mainstreaming of the FN as well as of the radicalization of the mainstream. The current FN retains its profile as ‘movement party’, increasingly bridging the gap between far right and mainstream politics, and exploiting the resources and initiatives provided by the broader ‘reactionary’ movement within which it functions. While producing new organizational and discursive opportunities for the FN, the diversity of actors and positions within the movement impedes significantly its ability to create a more unitary political force in France, however.