Pierre Sidos
Encyclopedia
Pierre Sidos was a French
far right
political figure.
Sidos' father was active in the collaborationist Milice
and he was executed for his involvement. Sidos continued his father's political beliefs and became founder of the Jeune Nation
after the Second World War, along with his brothers François and Jacques. In order to underline the credentials of the new movement Sidos chose the Celtic Cross
as its emblem in honour of the Charlemagne SS Waffen Division. Sidos was especially active during the Algerian War of Independence
and was a member of the Organisation de l'armée secrète, although his role in this group was fairly minor.
After the collapse of Jeune Nation he set up Occident
in 1964 and then l'Œuvre française in 1968 as a re-creation of his earlier group. The new group claimed to looked to Philippe Pétain
for its inspiration with Sidos now endorsing a blend of Catholicism
, pan-European nationalism
and anti-Semitism
, with some Third Position
influence, as his ideology of choice. On this platform he attempted to run in the French presidential election, 1969
although his candidature was rejected by the Constitutional Council of France
on a technical basis, although it has been argued that there was a fear that any judgement in Sidos' favour would have been seen as a vindication of his collaborationist background in wider society.
After this judegement Sidos was effectively sidelined and became a peripheral figure during the 1970s, even though l'Œuvre française was still active during the 1990s.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
far right
Far right
Far-right, extreme right, hard right, radical right, and ultra-right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group or person occupies within right-wing politics. Far-right politics may involve anti-immigration and anti-integration stances towards groups that are...
political figure.
Sidos' father was active in the collaborationist Milice
Milice
The Milice française , generally called simply Milice, was a paramilitary force created on January 30, 1943 by the Vichy Regime, with German aid, to help fight the French Resistance. The Milice's formal leader was Prime Minister Pierre Laval, though its chief of operations, and actual leader, was...
and he was executed for his involvement. Sidos continued his father's political beliefs and became founder of the Jeune Nation
Jeune Nation
Jeune Nation was a French nationalist movement founded by Albert Heuclin, and with members including Jean Marot, Jacques Wagner and the brothers Sidos, François Sidos , Jacques Sidos and Pierre Sidos .-History:The emblem of Jeune Nation was the Celtic cross, "symbol of universal life" and an...
after the Second World War, along with his brothers François and Jacques. In order to underline the credentials of the new movement Sidos chose the Celtic Cross
Celtic cross
A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. In the Celtic Christian world it was combined with the Christian cross and this design was often used for high crosses – a free-standing cross made of stone and often richly decorated...
as its emblem in honour of the Charlemagne SS Waffen Division. Sidos was especially active during the Algerian War of Independence
Algerian War of Independence
The Algerian War was a conflict between France and Algerian independence movements from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria's gaining its independence from France...
and was a member of the Organisation de l'armée secrète, although his role in this group was fairly minor.
After the collapse of Jeune Nation he set up Occident
Occident (movement)
Occident was a French far-right militant political group, often described as fascist-leaning. A number of members of Occident later were prominent members of right-wing parties, and even obtained ministerial positions. The movement never had more than 550 members.- History :Founded by Pierre Sidos...
in 1964 and then l'Œuvre française in 1968 as a re-creation of his earlier group. The new group claimed to looked to Philippe Pétain
Philippe Pétain
Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain , generally known as Philippe Pétain or Marshal Pétain , was a French general who reached the distinction of Marshal of France, and was later Chief of State of Vichy France , from 1940 to 1944...
for its inspiration with Sidos now endorsing a blend of Catholicism
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, pan-European nationalism
Pan-European nationalism
The idea that Europe should be united politically has been present in European culture since the Middle Ages, and inspired several proposals for some form of confederation. With the growth of nationalism in the 19th century, several pan-national ideas of Europe developed, some of them based on...
and anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
, with some Third Position
Third Position
Third Position is a revolutionary nationalist political ideology that emphasizes its opposition to both communism and capitalism. Advocates of Third Position politics typically present themselves as "beyond left and right", instead claiming to syncretize radical ideas from both ends of the...
influence, as his ideology of choice. On this platform he attempted to run in the French presidential election, 1969
French presidential election, 1969
The 1969 French presidential election took place on 1 June and 15 June 1969. It occurred due to the resignation of President Charles de Gaulle on 28 April 1969. Indeed, De Gaulle had decided to consult the voters by referendum about regionalisation and the reform of the Senate, and he had announced...
although his candidature was rejected by the Constitutional Council of France
Constitutional Council of France
The Constitutional Council is the highest constitutional authority in France. It was established by the Constitution of the Fifth Republic on 4 October 1958, and its duty is to ensure that the principles and rules of the constitution are upheld.Its main activity is to rule on whether proposed...
on a technical basis, although it has been argued that there was a fear that any judgement in Sidos' favour would have been seen as a vindication of his collaborationist background in wider society.
After this judegement Sidos was effectively sidelined and became a peripheral figure during the 1970s, even though l'Œuvre française was still active during the 1990s.