Inauguration of the UDR by Éric Ciotti - Levens (06)

We are delighted to have been invited to the inauguration of the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), founded by Éric Ciotti. This event, marked by great ambition and a tribute to Gaullism, reflects a courageous and promising approach for the future of the French right. The creation of this new political party upholds Gaullist values, combining loyalty to national traditions with a desire to renew political life to meet today’s challenges.

During his speech in Levens, near Nice in the Alpes-Maritimes, Éric Ciotti expressed his firm belief that the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR) should become a lasting force within the governance of our country. By distancing himself from “Les Républicains” (LR)—a name he now sees as weakened by repeated failures and a lack of ideological clarity—Éric Ciotti proposes a genuine refoundation of the French right with the UDR.

We have long hoped for this political line to be clarified, as we have consistently highlighted that Les Républicains, through their affiliation with the European People’s Party (EPP), align themselves with a direction fundamentally opposed to Gaullist principles. Indeed, the EPP’s commitment to a federal Europe, clearly stated in both its preamble and Article 1, diverges from the Gaullist vision of a Europe of sovereign and cooperative nations. Thus, the founding of the UDR represents a courageous step that draws on Gaullist history while opening confidently to the future with a bold, modernized vision.

In this way, Éric Ciotti honors the legacy of the Union of Democrats for the Republic (UDR), founded by Gaullists in 1967, while adapting this vision to today’s issues. The UDR is committed to defending French and European sovereignty based on respect for nations, rejecting a supranational project detached from our country’s interests.

The UDR aims to meet the expectations of the French people by advocating for a massive reduction in taxes, an overhaul of income tax, and major reforms such as the elimination of regional administrations and the end of birthright citizenship. These proposals are intended to restore political and economic power to citizens who often feel it has been lost, promoting a pragmatic, sovereigntist approach.

We were particularly moved by Éric Ciotti’s warm welcome and wish to extend our thanks to our friends at the UDR for their support, with a special mention for Alexandre Saradjian, whose dedication to this cause is invaluable.

The birth of the UDR marks a significant step forward and brings considerable responsibilities to its members. However, it also embodies the hope for a political renewal on the right, honoring the patriotic values and commitment to national unity that are central to Gaullism. We wish Éric Ciotti and the Union of the Right for the Republic much success, convinced that this movement will rise to the challenges of our time and restore confidence to the French people in a political project filled with meaning and unity.

With this inauguration, Éric Ciotti has shown remarkable political courage, gathering around him individuals of quality who are committed to defending the values that underpin our nation. Among them are figures such as Hanane Mansouri, Guilhem Carayon, Charles Alloncle, Lola Elis, Pierre Giry, and Chloé Painter, all dedicated to upholding the ideals of the UDR. We look forward to following the progress of this movement and contributing, to the best of our ability, to its success for the future of France.