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Anti-Gaullism refers to organized opposition to Gaullism. It encompasses individuals, groups, and movements that oppose the political and philosophical principles of General de Gaulle.
Anti-Gaullism is not a rigid doctrinal framework but rather a movement spanning both the right and left.
Right-Wing Anti-Gaullists
- Vichy Regime (1940–1944)
For supporters of the Vichy Regime, de Gaulle undermined values of order and authority foundational to the military profession by verbally and militarily opposing Marshal Pétain. Consequently, de Gaulle was sentenced to death by the government for "treason, intelligence with the enemy, and desertion to a foreign country":contentReference{index=0}.
Charles Maurras denounced him as a traitor who had sold out to the British, whom he regarded as "enemy number one":contentReference{index=1}.
- Fifth Republic
- Algerian War (1954–1962)
Initially, Charles de Gaulle supported self-determination before moving towards the independence of Algeria:contentReference{index=2}.
Right-wing politicians expressed varying degrees of dissatisfaction with de Gaulle’s policies during the Algerian War. Far-right supporters, such as Pierre Lagaillarde and Guy Forzy, founded the Organisation armée secrète (OAS) following the Week of the Barricades. This anti-Gaullist, clandestine terrorist organization advocated for maintaining French presence in Algeria. Moderate right-wing politicians like Roger Duchet, a senator from 1946 to 1959, opposed the self-determination policy:contentReference{index=3}.
When the Évian Accords referendum was held, several members of the National Centre of Independents and Peasants (CNIP) urged voters to reject the accords:contentReference{index=4}.
- Presidential Inauguration (1959)
The establishment of the Fifth Republic divided the political right. Figures like Henri Dorgères supported de Gaulle's inauguration, while others, such as Jacques Isorni, strongly opposed it, declaring, "The defender of Louis XVI cannot vote for Robespierre":contentReference{index=5}.
In 1962, unable to overthrow de Gaulle, right-wing anti-Gaullists censured the Pompidou government. Paul Reynaud was the first to sign the motion, which was endorsed by 109 CNIP deputies out of 121:contentReference{index=6}.
- Policies of De Gaulle (Post-1946)
As early as 1946, some of de Gaulle's right-wing adversaries emerged within the Popular Republican Movement (MRP), which had been loyal to Gaullism during the French Resistance. Ideological divergences, especially regarding France’s integration into Europe, became apparent:contentReference{index=7}.
During de Gaulle’s presidency, his economic and monetary policies were criticized. His proposal to involve workers in company profits alarmed business circles. Gaston Monnerville, president of the Senate, accused him of "treason":contentReference{index=8}.
Left-Wing Anti-Gaullists
Unlike the right, the French left was less divided in its opposition to de Gaulle’s policies, given his identity as a right-wing leader. Most left-wing politicians opposed Gaullist measures during the Fifth Republic.
- The French Communist Party
During World War II, some French Communists joined de Gaulle in the French Resistance, such as Jean Moulin. However, the communists later opposed de Gaulle over the powers of the Constituent Assembly, the institutions, and the regime's nature. Upon the creation of the Rally for the French People (RPF), the French Communist Party (PCF) accused de Gaulle of being neither democratic nor republican but instead a defender of capitalism and big business. Until 1958, de Gaulle was labeled a "fascist" or a "wannabe dictator serving big capital":contentReference{index=9}.
- The Socialists
As early as 1947, socialists, including Vincent Auriol, then President of France, considered the Rally for the French People (RPF) a movement partly composed of Vichy sympathizers and fascists. Although some socialists, like Guy Mollet, supported de Gaulle during the establishment of the Fifth Republic, his governance soon diverged from their parliamentary vision. They criticized him for exercising personal power and ignoring national realities, particularly opposing his proposal for the president to be elected by direct universal suffrage:contentReference{index=10}.
Key figures of moderate left-wing anti-Gaullism included Pierre Mendès France and François Mitterrand, the latter running against de Gaulle in the second round of the 1965 French presidential election.