Les Horaces refers to a political circle who have played a leading role in shaping the policies of the far-right National Rally in France since the mid-2010s. [1] [2]
The circle was founded in 2015. [3] Since then, the circle has prepared monthly briefings for National Rally leader Marine Le Pen. [4] The circle aims to recruit senior civil servants and businessmen to the National Rally, to generate ideas for party policy, and to prepare the party for government. [5]
The circle's membership is kept secret, but is considered to be led by member of the European Parliament André Rougé. [4] In 2016, Jean Messiha was named a spokesperson for the circle. [6]
A 2018 investigation by BuzzFeed News and Mediapart claimed that former Cour des Comptes and far-right think tank Carrefour de l'Horloge member Philippe Baccou as well as banker and Confédération des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises member Georges Tissié were members of the circle. [7] In 2024, Libération published an investigation claiming to undercover other members of the circle. [8] Radio France Internationale has named Jean-Paul Garraud as a member of the circle, principally working on judicial questions. [9]
Paul Quinio of Libération has described the circle as "a central piece of the far-right's strategy of dédiabolisation." [10] Historian Andrew Hussey has described the circle as being largely composed of Énarques, making it an "elite project that is ironically – or cynically, depending on how you look at it – driving Le Pen’s anti-elitist agenda." [4]
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