Democratic Movement (France)
The Democratic Movement (French: Mouvement démocrate, pronounced [muv.mɑ̃ de.mɔ.kʁat]; MoDem, [mɔ.dɛm]) is a centre to centre-right political party in France that is characterised by a strong pro-European stance. MoDem was founded by François Bayrou to succeed the Union for French Democracy (UDF) and contest the 2007 legislative election, after his strong showing in the 2007 presidential election. Initially named the Democratic Party (Parti démocrate), the party was renamed "Democratic Movement", because there was already a small Democratic Party in France. The party holds a pro-European stance.
Democratic Movement Mouvement démocrate | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | MoDem |
| President | François Bayrou |
| Founder | François Bayrou |
| Founded | 1 December 2007 |
| Preceded by | Union for French Democracy |
| Headquarters | 133 bis Rue de l'Université 75007 Paris |
| Membership (2017) | 13,000 |
| Ideology |
|
| Political position | Centre to centre-right |
| National affiliation | Together |
| European affiliation | European Democratic Party |
| European Parliament group | Renew Europe |
| Colours | Orange |
| National Assembly | 48 / 577 |
| Senate | 5 / 348 |
| European Parliament | 6 / 79 |
| Presidency of Regional Councils | 0 / 17 |
| Presidency of Departmental Councils | 1 / 95 |
| Website | |
| www | |
| |
MoDem secured an agreement with La République En Marche! in the 2017 legislative election after Bayrou endorsed the candidacy of Emmanuel Macron in February. In June 2017, the MoDem and its MEPs were accused of potentially fictitious employment practices within the European Parliament. Bayrou resigned on 21 June from his post as Justice Minister soon after he became embroiled in the fictitious employment scandals, and allegations of harassment against a journalist reporting on the scandal.