Gaullist

Gaullist refers to adherents of Gaullism, a French political ideology associated with General Charles de Gaulle. Gaullism emphasizes national sovereignty, a strong and centralized executive, a unifying national project, and pragmatic, flexible policy making. It combines emphasis on a robust state with support for economic modernization and social cohesion. Foreign policy under Gaullism stresses independence from external blocs, a strong national defense, and a cautious approach to European integration when it might diminish sovereignty. De Gaulle’s vision also included an appeal to national unity across social divides and a distrust of political fragmentation.

Gaullism emerged from de Gaulle's leadership during World War II and matured in the Fifth Republic (1958 onwards), which granted the presidency expanded powers. It became the guiding ideology of the French center-right and sustained a political lineage through successive parties: Union for the New Republic (UNR) in the 1950s and 1960s, the Union of Democrats for the Republic (UDR), Rally for the Republic (RPR), the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), and The Republicans (LR). These movements have often styled themselves as heirs to Gaullist principles, while incorporating broader conservative, liberal, and Christian-democratic strands.

Gaullism remains influential in French political discourse as a reference point for arguments about national sovereignty, executive power, and state capacity. Critics view it as centrist or conservative with a tendency toward centralization, while supporters credit it with national resilience and long-term state-building.