Aymeric Chauprade (born 13 January 1969) is a French writer, political scientist and politician. He left the
National Front on 9 November 2015, mostly for "moral and political" principles, to found
Les Français Libres. A student and disciple of
François Thual, he is an advocate of
realpolitik
''Realpolitik'' (; ) refers to enacting or engaging in diplomatic or political policies based primarily on considerations of given circumstances and factors, rather than strictly binding itself to explicit ideological notions or moral and ethical ...
. He was elected to the
European Parliament
The European Parliament (EP) is one of the legislative bodies of the European Union and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and informally as the Council of Ministers), it adopts ...
from the National Front for the
Île-de-France
, timezone1 = CET
, utc_offset1 = +01:00
, timezone1_DST = CEST
, utc_offset1_DST = +02:00
, blank_name_sec1 = Gross regional product
, blank_info_sec1 = Ranked 1st
, bla ...
constituency in the
2014 European Parliament election
The 2014 European Parliament election was held in the European Union, from 22 to 25 May 2014.
It was the 8th parliamentary election since the first direct elections in 1979, and the first in which the European political parties fielded candid ...
.
Biography
Career
Graduating from the
Paris Institute of Political Studies
, motto_lang = fr
, mottoeng = Roots of the Future
, type = Public research university''Grande école''
, established =
, founder = Émile Boutmy
, accreditation ...
in 1993, Chauprade received a Master of International Law degree in 1996 and a doctorate in political science in 2001 from
Paris Descartes University
Paris Descartes University (french: Université Paris 5 René Descartes, links=no), also known as Paris V, was a French public university located in Paris. It was one of the inheritors of the historic University of Paris, which was split into 13 ...
. Trained in mathematics, he is a lecturer in geopolitics at the Royal College of Higher Military Education of the Kingdom of Morocco, director of the ''Revue française de géopolitique'' (''French Review of Geopolitics'') and editor of several collections published by Ellipses in Paris (''Grands enjeux'', ''Taupe-Niveau'' and ''Référence géopolitique''). From 2003 to 2009, Chauprade was a lecturer on the history of political ideas at the
University of Neuchâtel
The University of Neuchâtel (UniNE) is a French-speaking university based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The university has four faculties (schools) and more than a dozen institutes, including arts and human sciences, natural sciences, law and eco ...
in Switzerland. He has taught at the
Collège interarmées de défense
In France, secondary education is in two stages:
* ''Collèges'' () cater for the first four years of secondary education from the ages of 11 to 15.
* ''Lycées'' () provide a three-year course of further secondary education for children between ...
(CID: French Joint Defense College) since 1999, where he oversees geopolitics courses.
Chauprade is a contributor to African historian
Bernard Lugan
Bernard Lugan (born 10 May 1946) is a French historian who specialises in African history. He is a professor at the Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN) and the editor of the journal ''L'Afrique réelle'' ("Real Africa"). Lug ...
's magazine, ''L'Afrique réelle'' (Real Africa), works for
Dominique Venner
Dominique Venner (; 16 April 1935 – 21 May 2013) was a French historian, journalist and essayist. Venner was a member of the Organisation armée secrète and later became a European nationalist, founding ''Europe-Action'', before wi ...
's ''
La Nouvelle Revue d'Histoire
''La Nouvelle Revue d'histoire'' was a bimonthly French history magazine that was published between 2002 and 2017.
History and profile
''La Nouvelle Revue d'histoire'' was established in July 2002 by Dominique Venner. The magazine has a right-wi ...
''. He dedicated his book, ''Géopolitique, constantes et changements dans l'histoire'' (''Geopolitics, Constants and Changes in History'') to the students at CID. Chauprade is an officer in the
French Naval Reserve.
After the publication of his book, ''Chronique du choc des civilisations'' ("Chronicle of the Clash of Civilizations" reedited in 2015), Chauprade was accused by French journalist Jean Guisnel of espousing
September 11 conspiracy theories
9/11 conspiracy theories attribute the preparation and execution of the September 11 attacks against the United States to parties other than, or in addition to, al-Qaeda. These include the theory that high-level government officials had adva ...
. He was always fighting against those allegations which he found false. Chauprade was removed from his chair at the CID by Supervising Minister Hervé Morin in early February 2009.
During the controversy, Chauprade (who filed a complaint against the Minister and the magazine ''
Le Point
''Le Point'' () is a French weekly political and news magazine published in Paris.
History and profile
''Le Point'' was founded in September 1972 by a group of journalists who had, one year earlier, left the editorial team of '' L'Express'', w ...
'') received support from CID students and his former university professor Edmond Jouve. Although CID head Vincent Desportes expressed reservations about Chauprade's writings, Desportes said: "He has never proselytized in his courses or expressed his vision of the world".
A website supporting Chauprade was set up. On 24 March 2009 the Paris Administrative Court ruled in his favour, suspending Morin's decision and saying that the minister had violated a "fundamental freedom". On 1 June 2011 the court upheld its ruling, saying that Morin's decision resulted "from an irregular procedure".
Chauprade organized a conference with Jacques Frémeaux and Philippe Evanno in February 2013 at the
Sorbonne
Sorbonne may refer to:
* Sorbonne (building), historic building in Paris, which housed the University of Paris and is now shared among multiple universities.
*the University of Paris (c. 1150 – 1970)
*one of its components or linked institution, ...
(University of Paris IV) on threats in North Africa and the
Sahel
The Sahel (; ar, ساحل ' , "coast, shore") is a region in North Africa. It is defined as the ecoclimatic and biogeographic realm of transition between the Sahara to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south. Having a hot semi-arid c ...
and Europe's overall security (''Menaces en Afrique du Nord et au Sahel et sécurité globale de l'Europe''), the proceedings of which were published in April 2013 by Ellipses Editions. Since January 2010, he has funded a geopolitical website.
He is recognized as one of 100 most important international authors in geopolitics and International relations("Les grands théoriciens des relations intérnationales" 2015, Studyrama).
The daughter of the spokesperson of
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who holds the office of president of Russia. Putin has served continuously as president or prime minister since 1999: as prime min ...
,
Dmitry Peskov
Dmitry Sergeyevich Peskov ( rus, Дмитрий Сергеевич Песков, p=pʲɪˈskof; born 17 October 1967) is a Russian diplomat and the press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin.[European Parliament
The European Parliament (EP) is one of the legislative bodies of the European Union and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and informally as the Council of Ministers), it adopts ...]
.
Geopolitics
According to Chauprade, he follows a new French geopolitical school emphasizing ''realpolitik'' and deemphasizing ideology. Its ideas appear in the ''Revue française de géopolitique'' (''French Review of Geopolitics'') and the International Academy of Geopolitics, of which Chauprade is secretary-general.
His geopolitical philosophy follows that of
François Thual, and can be found in the introduction to ''Géopolitique, constantes et changements dans l'histoire''.
Chauprade considers
Francophonie
Francophonie is the quality of speaking French. The term designates the ensemble of people, organisations and governments that share the use of French on a daily basis and as administrative language, teaching language or chosen language. The ...
a cornerstone of French independence and power. A strong supporter of a Europe of nations within European borders (without Turkey), he advocates a political agreement with Russia and supports a multi-polar world with a balanced relationship between China and the United States. Chauprade maintains strong relations with Morocco (where he teaches), and travels regularly to the Middle East, Central Europe, Central Asia, Russia and China.
Civilisations
According to Jean-Marc Huissoud, Chauprade is considered a founder of the new French geopolitics, describing the "continuous and discontinuous" in his analysis of international questions. Chauprade has said, "France is at war against some Muslims, not at war with the Muslims but with some Muslims". In his interview for ITélé he said that France is better than a race, it's a civilization. Chauprade defends Judeo-Christian roots of Europe.
Politics
Chauprade supported the list headed by
Philippe de Villiers
Philippe Marie Jean Joseph Le Jolis de Villiers de Saintignon, known as Philippe de Villiers (; born 25 March 1949), is a French entrepreneur, politician and novelist.Main Website Retrieved 4 March 2009. He is the founder of the Puy du Fou theme ...
in the
2004 European Parliament election
The 2004 European Parliament election was held between 10 and 13 June 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom. The European Parliamental parties could not be voted for, but electe ...
.
Chauprade should be the National Front's top candidate in the Île-de-France district for the 2014 European elections and Le Pen's advisor on foreign-policy issues.
In an interview with the French bi-monthly magazine ''L'Homme nouveau'' on 27 November 2013, he said that the "ideological bipolarity" separating the world is no longer the one opposing liberalism and communism (which are "two materialisms") but the one opposing "materialism and traditionalism": "On one side are those who believe that the individual is the supreme value, on the other are those who think that transcendence or the common good are superior to the human person". Chauprade's "commitment is clearly in the second camp," and he intends "to participate in a project that not only raises the issue of identity in France, but also raises the problem of materialism and rehabilitates transcendence in politics".
Chauprade defends the multipolar vision of politics which includes peaceful relations with Russia and the USA. He travelled to Crimea to "monitor" the
Crimean status referendum, having been invited by the far-right
Eurasian Observatory for Democracy & Elections (EODE) according to
La Libération
LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States.
La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music
* La (musical note), or A, the sixth note
* "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figur ...
He was personally commenting the events live on Russia Today on 16 March.
In his ITélé interview of 9 November 2015 Chauprade appealed for the return of Philippe de Villiers and showed a strong desire of work by his side.
Quitting National Front
On 9 November 2015, he announces quitting the National Front for "moral and ideological issues".
Like some other members, he deplores the influence of Florian Philippot on
Marine Le Pen
Marion Anne Perrine "Marine" Le Pen (; born 5 August 1968) is a French lawyer and politician who ran for the French presidency in 2012, 2017, and 2022. A member of the National Rally (RN; previously the National Front, FN), she served as its pre ...
and the party's political path.
He also stated that Alain Soral's anti-Semitic influence on a part of the party is one of the main reasons that made him quit the National Front. He stands for a right-wing recomposition.
On her side, Marine Le Pen claimed that "after the Air Cocaine gate, our disagreements with Aymeric Chauprade became too important for him to stay at the National Front". At the European Parliament, he quit the Europe of Nations and Freedom group (ENL), which he joined at its creation, and became an independent MEP.
On 13 January 2016 he announces the creation of his own party, Les Francais Libres, with the purpose of "unifying a credible and assumed right wing". He refused to make a choice during 2017's French presidential election between "globalised socialism and a nationalist socialism".
In April 2016, he admitted to being closer to Les Républicains and wishes to "take part in an eventual government from the right wing" without taking part in the election of Les Républicains' candidate to run for office. At the European Parliament he tried to join the French delegation of the European Popular Party, and ''Valeurs actuelles'' stated that "even benefiting from Michele Alliot-Marie's, Nadine Morano's and Brice Hortefeux’s support, he faces oppositions from juppeists".
During the election of Les Républicains' candidate to run for office, he supported Nicolas Sarkozy for the first round and Francois Fillon for the second round.
During the 2017 presidential election, he supported Fillon for the first round before supporting Emmanuel Macron in the second round.
On 16 March 2017, he expressed himself for one of the first times on the "shadow men" around the National Front in an Envoyé Special documentary. According to him, "Marine Le Pen is not free, she is held by those people (Frédéric Chatillon, Axel Loustau et Philippe Péninque). If she comes to power, those people will too. There is no reason for this group to disappear. It will become the group that brought her to power. It is the National Front economy. They are Marine Le Pen's secret".
When Macron visited the European Parliament on 17 April 2018, Chauprade congratulated him on his courage to initiate reforms. He joined the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) group, where he became vice-president.
It is a sovereignist sensitivity group that includes the Five-Star Movement of Italy and UKIP of Britain.
"Air Cocaine" affair
On 20 March 2013, two French passengers were arrested at the
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is a resort town in the easternmost region of the Dominican Republic. It is part of the Veron–Punta Cana Municipalities of the Dominican Republic, municipal district, in the Salvaleón de Higüey, Higüey municipality of La Altagraci ...
airport in the
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic ( ; es, República Dominicana, ) is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares wit ...
while they were about to take off with suitcases filled with cocaine.
The flight was registered as a commercial one and the baggage was checked by the airport security. According to the Civil Aviation Law, airplane crews are not responsible for luggage content. However, the two pilots of the plane were arrested, with no distinction being made between them and the passengers by the Dominican police.
Rapidly, a support committee was formed by Air France pilots and former French air force pilots. Bruno Odos and Pascal Forret were both former French Air Force pilots, and one was even part of the French strategic nuclear task.
In autumn 2014, Chauprade joined the supporting committee on Christophe Naudin's (Airport Security expert and Criminologist) demand.
On 15 May 2015, Chauprade posted a video denouncing a justice denial made by the Dominican Republic. For a year and a half, the four Frenchmen, without any distinction, have seen their trial reported more than 30 times and had no way to defend themselves.
In August 2015, at the end of the trial, the 30 Dominican defendants were acquitted, and the 4 Frenchmen were declared guilty and sentenced to 20 years of prison. At the end of the trial, the pilots appealed and remained free under surveillance. In October, they were extracted.
The role played by Chauprade in the operation remains blurry. Did he facilitate it by his presence in the Dominican Republic while exfiltration took place?
After the success of the extraction of the two pilots, the Dominican authorities blamed Chauprade and many others without having any evidence. Three international arrest warrants were issued by the Dominican Republic against
Christophe Naudin, Aymeric Chauprade and
Pierre Malinowski.
Being unable to present any criminal charge, the Dominican Republic fabricated charges against them for "people smuggling and trafficking in human beings".
In June 2018, Chauprade was informed by
Interpol
The International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO; french: link=no, Organisation internationale de police criminelle), commonly known as Interpol ( , ), is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and cri ...
that he had no investigation opened against him after the exfiltration of two French pilots from the Dominican Republic.
[Lettre de l'Expansion, lundi 23 juillet 2018, n° 2379]
Works
* ''L'espace économique francophone'' (Francophone (French-speaking) economic area), Paris, Ellipses, 1996.
* ''Histoires d'Égypte'' (Histories of Egypt), Paris,
Les Belles Lettres
Les Belles Lettres is a French publisher specialising in the publication of ancient texts such as the ''Collection Budé''.
The publishing house, originally named ''Société Les Belles Lettres pour le développement de la culture classique'', w ...
, 1996.
* ''Beyrouth éternelle'' (Eternal Beirut), Paris, Asa Éditions, 1998 (translated in Arabic and English).
* ''Dictionnaire de géopolitique'' (Dictionary of geopolitics) with
François Thual, Paris, Ellipses, 2nd edition, 1999.
* ''Introduction à l'analyse géopolitique'' (Introduction to geopolitical analysis), Paris, Ellipses, 1999 (sold out).
* ''Les Balkans, la Guerre du Kosovo (en collaboration)'' (The Balkans, the Kosovo War (in collaboration)), Paris/Lausanne, L'Âge d'Homme, 2000.
* ''Géopolitique des États-Unis (culture, intérêts, stratégies)'' (Geopolitics of the United States (culture, interests, strategies)), Paris, Ellipses, 2003.
* ''Une nouvelle géopolitique du pétrole en Afrique'' (A new geopolitics of oil in Africa).
''Géopolitique – Constantes et changements dans l'histoire''(Geopolitics, constants and changes in history), Paris, Ellipses, 3rd edition 2007.
* ''Chronique du choc des civilisations'' (Chronicle of the Clash of Civilizations), Éditions Chronique, January 2009.
* ''L'Iran réel'' (The real Iran), Paris, Ellipses 2009 (under the direction of Aymeric Chauprade)
* ''Chronique du choc des civilisations'' (Chronicle of the Clash of Civilizations), éditions Chronique, September 2011 (2nd edition completely revised and expanded)
* ''Menaces en Afrique du Nord et au Sahel et sécurité globale de l'Europe (en collaboration avec Jacques Frémeaux et Philippe Evanno)'' (Threats in North Africa and in the Sahel and overall security of Europe), Ellipses, April 2013
* ''Chronique du choc des civilisations'', éditions Chronique, September 2013 (3rd edition updated and expanded)
* ''Prévention des crises et promotion de la paix'' (Crisis Prevention and Peacebuilding), volume 3 (in collaboration), under the direction of Jean-Pierre Vettovaglia, preface by
, éditions Emile Bruylant, October 2013
Other publications
* ''L'immigration extra-européenne, un défi majeur pour l'Union européenne'' (Non-European Immigration, a major challenge for the European Union), study for the Thomas-More Institute, July 200
read online
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chauprade, Aymeric
1969 births
Living people
French political scientists
French political writers
Geopoliticians
International relations scholars
Political realists
Writers about globalization
20th-century French non-fiction writers
20th-century French male writers
21st-century French non-fiction writers
National Rally (France) politicians
MEPs for Île-de-France 2014–2019
Sciences Po alumni
French male non-fiction writers
People named in the Pandora Papers