Souverainism

France

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Souverainism (from the French word "souverainisme", i.e. sovereignty), or sovereigntism is a doctrine which supports acquiring or preserving political independence of a nation or a region. It opposes federalism and approaches independentist movements.

Europe

In Europe, such political movements aim at ‘‘Europe of Nations’’, so that every country could see its independence and differences respected.

Supporters of the doctrine regard themselves as Eurorealists, opposed to the Eurofederalists, and call for confederal Europe. Souverainism is thus opposed to federalism, and some estimate that it involves sometimes nationalism, particularly in France where the parties lean on it (cf lists below).

Citation on souverainisme: «The sole reasonable economic policy is the following: as for the foreign, to protect, and interior, set free. The unequal competition and suffocation by the taxes and charges are two faces of the same crisis. The socialism à la French and the Brussels globalisation combine their devastating effects. » - Philippe de Villiers - Le Figaro, February 16, 2006 (regarding Bolkestein Directive)

see also: Unfair competition, Tax competition between countries, Taxation and Equity

France

The souverainiste doctrine is particularly influential in France, where numerous political movements adhere to it:

French souverainist movements

• Arise the Republic (Gaullist) and (Republicanism)
• Mouvement pour la France (nationalist)
• Rassemblement pour la France (Gaullist)
• Mouvement Républicain et Citoyen (left-wing souverainist)
• Rassemblement démocrate (centrist and monarchist souverainist)
• Action Française (monarchist)
• Nouvelle Action Royaliste (monarchist)

Movements close to souverainism

• French Communist Party
• Attac

Nationalist movements

• National Front
• National Republican Movement

Other European movements

Slovak souverainist movements

• Slovak National Party (nationalist)

Serbian souverainist movements

• Serbian Radical Party (nationalist)
• Democratic Party of Serbia

Greek souverainist movements

• Communist Party of Greece (left-wing souverainist)

Icelandic souverainist movements

• Coalition for the Sovereignty of Iceland

Quebec

In the Canadian province of Quebec, souverainisme or sovereigntism refers to the Quebec sovereignty movement, which argues for Quebec to become sovereign and not remain part of the Canadian federation. Many leaders in the movement, notably René Lévesque, have preferred the terms sovereignty and sovereigntist over alternative labels of independentist and separatist, although this terminology may be objected to by opponents.

During the 2008 Canadian parliamentary dispute, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper controversially used the word "separatist" in the English version of a televised speech to the nation, but used the French word for "sovereigntist" in the French version.

See also

• Autonomism (political doctrine)
• Sovereigntist
• Sovereignty-association