France: Civil Society's Response to the Far Right's Rise

This episode of 'Who is Voting in 2024' focuses on the upcoming French parliamentary elections and the current socio-political climate. With polls predicting a win for the far-right National Rally Party, civil society's response and mobilization are scrutinized. Guest Sarah Durieux, co-director of the Multitude Foundation, discusses the roles of activism and civil society in addressing pivotal issues such as ecology, pension reform, discrimination, and increased police repression. Durieux emphasizes the importance of integrating activism with formal political structures, building coalitions, and empowering disenfranchised groups, particularly the youth. Her insights highlight the necessity of civic engagement, political representation, and the fight against authoritarianism in shaping a more inclusive and democratic society.

In this episode of Who is Voting in 2024 we will focus on the latter. How is French civil society mobilizing to turn anger, fear, and hope into a political force that can make its way to the ballot and counter the rise of the extreme right? 

Podcast co-host Laura Bullon-Cassis, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy (AHCD), is joined by Sarah Durieux, former director of France’s change.org platform, and Co-Director of the Multitudes Foundation. She is also the author of the book Changing the World: an Activist's Toolkit to Take Power.

This episode was recorded in the context of the project "Youth Climate Activism and Local Institutions: Reframing Democratic Spaces at a Time of Polarisation" hosted by AHCD.