One of France’s royal pretenders, Louis de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou, has criticised the country’s deepening “political and institutional crisis” and urged the French to look to their “monarchic heritage” as a source of renewal and hope.
Regarded by ‘legitimists’ as Louis XX, the rightful heir to the long-abolished French throne, de Bourbon traces his lineage directly to King Louis XIV through Philip V of Spain.
The legitimists are royalist traditionalists who believe the French throne rightfully belongs to the senior Bourbon line.
According to de Bourbon, France’s Republican system itself encourages division rather than unity or long-term vision.
“The Republic, true to its history, remains subject to partisan logic. Although the Constitution desired by General de Gaulle appeared to seek a remedy for this flaw, it must be acknowledged that fifty years later, the scourge that has so often brought suffering to France has reappeared with renewed force,” he wrote in a column for the Journal du Dimanche. The Fifth Republic, like its predecessors, could be on the verge of collapse, he predicted.
In his column, he presents himself as a legitimate moral voice as he is the descendant of France’s former kings, and claims historical responsibility for the nation’s well-being.
“I believe it is my duty, as head of the House of Bourbon and heir to the dynasty that built France, to speak out on this matter.”
De Bourbon criticised those who put their career before their country.
“Once again, parties and politicians, far from acting in the higher interest of France and therefore of the French people, prefer to play their own games,” he said.
“As has so often been the case in the past, the republican institutions and the political class are proving unequal to the challenges of our time. The Fifth Republic, like its predecessors, seems on the verge of collapse,” he wrote.
The French political class to be corrupt, he said, while calling for the restoration of the moral and cultural monarchy as a source of inspiration for rebuilding the country.
“Thus, I invite the French people to reflect carefully on the current state of our institutions and on a ruling class whose great negligence makes its practice of self-appointment intolerable,” de Bourbon said.
“When the time for choices comes, I hope that the monarchic heritage of which I am the custodian remains sufficiently alive in the hearts of my compatriots to be a source of inspiration,” he added.
While he does not directly call for the return of the monarchy, his column reveals the kind of leadership he believes the nation needs.
Not everyone agrees with his analysis.
Charles-Henrin Gallois, adviser to National Rally President Jordan Bardella in the European Parliament, told Brussels Signal yesterday that France is witnessing the “end of Macron” era but that the French Fifth Republic “will survive” the political turmoil in the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced yesterday that he will appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, following the collapse of Sébastien Lecornu’s government after less than a day in office.
At the same time, Marine Le Pen, de facto leader of the right-wing National Rally, said that her party will try and bring down every government.
“The joke has gone on long enough,” she said yesterday.
In response to caretaker PM Lecornu’s televised remarks yesterday evening, La France Insoumise intensified its push for early presidential elections, arguing that only a new mandate can break the current political deadlock.
“Sébastien Lecornu says that we cannot decide on any issue before the 2027 presidential election. Solution? Let’s hold the presidential election right away. The country has no time to lose,” said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the party.
The next prime minister will face the daunting task of finding approval for an austerity budget for next year, in a divided parliament, a task that has eluded other PMs.
According to recent polls, 73 per cent of French citizens now favour Macron’s resignation, a figure that rises to nearly 100 per cent among supporters of the National Rally and La France Insoumise.
