Roland Gaucher, French journalist and politician (d. 2007)

Roland Gaucher, born Roland Goguillot on April 13, 1919, and passing away on July 27, 2007, was a figure of significant, albeit controversial, importance in French far-right politics and journalism. Operating under his well-known pseudonym, Gaucher was recognized as one of the principal ideologues shaping the direction of the French far-right throughout much of the 20th century, whose life journey reflected a consistent commitment to his deeply held political convictions, spanning from wartime collaboration to the European Parliament.

A Formative Period: Collaboration Under the Vichy Regime

Gaucher's early political engagement placed him squarely within the most contentious period of modern French history: the Second World War and the subsequent Vichy regime. During this era, France was divided, with the German occupation in the north and the "État français," or Vichy regime, governing the south, headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain. This regime, while claiming to act in France's best interests, actively collaborated with Nazi Germany. It was during this time that Roland Gaucher aligned himself with Marcel Déat's Rassemblement National Populaire (RNP). The RNP was an overtly fascist and ardently collaborationist political party, advocating for a single-party state and a complete ideological alignment with Nazi Germany. Gaucher's participation in such a party marked him as a committed proponent of collaborationism, a policy that involved not just cooperation with the occupying forces but often active support for their ideological goals and policies, including antisemitism and authoritarianism.

Post-War Reckoning and a New Path in Journalism

The liberation of France in 1944 brought with it a period of national reckoning, known as the "épuration" or purge, during which individuals accused of collaboration with the occupying powers faced legal and social consequences. Roland Gaucher was among those prosecuted and, in 1945, was sentenced to five years in prison for his collaborationist activities. This conviction underscored the severity with which the newly re-established French state viewed complicity with the enemy. However, his time in prison did not extinguish his political fervor. Upon his release, Gaucher skillfully pivoted to a career in journalism. This provided him with a platform to continue articulating his far-right views and maintain his political activism, albeit initially outside the mainstream political structures. His writings became a crucial avenue for disseminating his ideology and connecting with like-minded individuals during a period when overt far-right political organizing was challenging.

Co-founding the National Front: A New Chapter

The early 1970s marked a pivotal moment for the French far-right with the emergence of the National Front (Front National, FN), a political party that would eventually reshape the French political landscape. In October 1972, Roland Gaucher played a foundational role as one of its co-founders. His extensive experience, ideological clarity, and intellectual contributions were instrumental in shaping the party's initial platform and vision. As a "main thinker" of the French far-right, Gaucher contributed significantly to the FN's doctrinal development, helping to articulate its nationalist, anti-immigrant, and often Eurosceptic stances. The formation of the FN provided a unified political home for various strands of the far-right movement, and Gaucher's involvement lent it a sense of continuity with earlier, pre-war and wartime nationalist traditions, albeit repackaged for a new era.

From National Politics to the European Stage

Gaucher's political journey culminated with his election as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the National Front in 1986. This marked a significant personal achievement and a moment of broader political legitimization for the FN, demonstrating its growing influence beyond national borders and within European institutions. As an MEP, he represented the party's interests on the European stage, advocating for its nationalist agenda and often challenging the very principles of European integration. His presence in the European Parliament underscored the long and complex trajectory of his political career, which began in the shadows of wartime collaboration and concluded with representation at the highest levels of European governance, always driven by a consistent far-right ideology until his passing in 2007.

FAQs About Roland Gaucher

Who was Roland Gaucher?
Roland Gaucher, whose real name was Roland Goguillot, was a prominent French far-right journalist and politician. He was a significant ideologue for the French far-right throughout the 20th century.
What was his involvement with the Vichy regime during World War II?
During the Vichy regime, he was an active participant in Marcel Déat's Rassemblement National Populaire (RNP), an openly fascist and collaborationist party that supported Nazi Germany.
Why was he imprisoned after World War II?
Following the liberation of France, Roland Gaucher was sentenced to five years in prison for Collaborationism due to his involvement with the RNP and the Vichy regime.
What role did he play in the creation of the National Front?
He was one of the co-founders of the National Front (FN) in October 1972, contributing significantly to its foundational ideology and political direction as a key thinker of the French far-right.
When did he become a Member of the European Parliament?
Roland Gaucher was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the National Front in 1986, representing the party on the European stage.
What does "far-right" signify in the context of his politics?
"Far-right" in Gaucher's context refers to his adherence to nationalist, authoritarian, and often xenophobic ideologies, including his early support for fascism and later contributions to the anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic platform of the National Front.