Renaissance: A Rebranding of Macron’s Political Movement
A simple cosmetic change or a genuine renewal for a party that has struggled to set its own course? On this Saturday night, Emmanuel Macron formalized the rebranding of his political coalition as Renaissance. The new name of the central leadership’s formation was the centerpiece of the national convention held at the Louvre in Paris, where militants also approved the charter and leadership slate. With this refresh, Macron sought to inject fresh momentum into the Republic in Motion, a vehicle whose internal debates have been scarce during the last several years and in which many key decisions have seemed driven from the Élysée Palace.
Despite Macron’s April re-election as head of state and a relative majority for his party in the National Assembly, the movement has limited regional leadership and few mayors in cities surpassing 100,000 residents. Confronted with a diffuse regional footprint and questions about ideological clarity, Macron aims to extend his political project beyond his personal image and to shape the succession process. The French constitution prohibits a president from serving more than two terms.
MEP Séjourné at the head of the party
On April 10, during the presidential election’s first-round night, the centrist leader urged unity, saying the movement would work together to bridge differences and build a broad political home. Yet that invitation to construct a strong Macronist alliance drew only partial support from supporters.
The Renaissance platform essentially acts as a continuation with a narrow expansion of two additional micro-projects: a Conservative Bloc and a regional progress group. Olivier Dussopt, a former socialist figure and current Minister of Labour, chairs this new ensemble. Meanwhile, MODEM led by François Bayrou and Horizontes led by former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe chose not to join the latest platform, remaining outside the new coalition or centrist realignment.
According to party leadership, the aim is to build a solid, organized, and coherent political movement. Renaissance would become that home, according to Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who spoke after the vote confirmed the new name. Stéphane Séjourné, a long-time Macron ally, was elected general secretary in a vote that featured a single slate. The arrangement underscores the sense that Macron’s central influence will continue to shape the party’s direction, even as he assumes more of a ceremonial role in the organization.
“A hard-to-define Macronism”
At 37, Séjourné has been among Macron’s closest aides, and his appointment signals an intention to preserve the president’s sway over the party’s succession planning. The stated goals for Renaissance include embedding Macronist ideas across regions and, ultimately, clarifying who could lead the movement in the future. Critics, however, have long argued that Macron’s political approach lacks a clear ideological anchor, a point echoed by the liberal press and commentary that describe Macronism as a blend of neoliberal reform with pragmatic policy shifts. Reforms to labor markets, reductions in taxes for higher earners, and policy responses to events such as the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have all left a lasting imprint on the movement’s perceived identity.
In addition to Philippe, other names bandied about as potential successors for the presidency in 2027 include Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. The discussions also reflect the broader realignment among conservative and centrist factions, with signs of a shift away from traditional party lines and toward a more fluid political center. The unfolding changes illustrate the ongoing transformation of a movement that began as a personal project around Macron and is now attempting to establish a durable institutional home for the broader centrist bloc.