I was in France recently on business. I had a couple of political discussions with colleagues that were local. A couple Frenchmen said there was concern about the “right” gaining seats in the EU. They said it stems from the idea that the NAZI party was right wing. Apparently people are at least somewhat afraid of what would happen if conservatives were in the majority.
I explained the circular relationship regarding the left Vs right. By today’s standards in political partisanship, the NAZI party would be left. I was relieved that they actually agreed with that concept. But also admitted that most of their countrymen/women were dolts and didn’t know any better. Sounds familiar.
I think that initially, the French ‘right’ was a pro monarchy and pro-Catholic element. They were, if I understand it correctly, a sort of last gasp of traditional French thinking. They never consolidated their social or political position and never gained ascendancy.
Neither of those elements were, or ever became, strong in France... the power vacuum was filled by French pro Nazi types. Whatever Conservatism’s final posture was in France, it was appropriated by Fascists. So the French (and lots of others, worldwide) made, and continue to mistakenly make, a direct association between the traditional right in France and the Fascists who replaced and subverted that group.
The association, no matter how loose, has kept French Conservatism in a very bad light and always lends Socialism/Communism an attraction for young people.... because they think they are being ultra modern. In fact they were and are working with Socialists/Communists in the destruction of France and the French national character.
They are past the point of no return.