Breton democratic Union

The Breton democratic Union (UDB) is a Political party separatist of left, represented in Brittany (Area Brittany + Loire-Atlantique).

The UDB is resulting from the MOB (Mouvement for the organization of Brittany), following a scission of this party, created by Yann Fouéré. This movement is on the left, and passed from a rather radical speech to its creation, with a program separatist moderated today. This party is member of the European free Alliance.

Founding members: Loeiz Ar Beg, Ronan Leprohon, Yann Cheun Veillard, Roparz Debroise, Jean Guegueniat, Marie-Claire Rumeur, Herve Grall, Pierre Padellec, Michel Guillerm, Jakez Josset, Yann-Ber Piriou, Paol Keineg, Jean-Paul Berre, Jean-Marie Laigle, Jean Mahé.

Situation

One of its leaders, known for his combat against the racist mode of apartheid in South Africa, is Christian Guyonvarc' H, regional adviser since 2004 (he is the vice-president in load of the European and international relations); he was a long time assistant of the mayor of Lorient.

In the regional elections of 2004, the UDB takes part by the new left majority of the District council of Brittany, thanks to an alliance with the Verts with the first turn then with the plural left with the second turn. It obtains three elected officials plus related (Christian Troadec).

The Popular Presses of Brittany are the publisher of the UDB and the Breton People is his body. During several years, a body in Breton language, Pobl Vreizh , was also published in addition to the French edition. It is now integrated into the edition in French language. The UDB also publishes an internal bulletin, An Emsaver bound for the militants.

History

Foundation

The UDB was founded in 1964 with Rennes by a group of about fifteen young people, students for the majority, and often resulting from the mediums cultural (Ar Falz, Bagad where, etc) and influenced by the socialist ideas. The majority belonged to the MOB which also included former militants of GNP and partisans of French Algeria, which caused tension. The scission of the " Group bar brestois" (named place where the future founders of the UDB met) place with the congress of 1964 had. It made however only ratify one older rupture of at least two years. MOB, indeed, had refused, with the congress of 1962 to condemn OAS, thus repudiating the students of Rennes who had given an opinion for FLN. In addition, the management committee of MOB had created in 1963 an executive office chapeautant the management committee and whose members were co-opted. The goal of this operation was to prevent the students of left from reforming the movement of the interior.

The first congress of the UDB took place in December 1964 with Quimper, room Toul-Al-Laer, with 18 participants. The UDB is founded in opposition to the practice of torture in Algérie and establishing an analogy between the decolonization of the the Maghreb and that of the Brittany.

The structure of the new party was then close to that of the parties of extreme left with a strict internal discipline. Its charter, elaborate in 1964 preached the establishment of a planned economy and the creation of an European Federation. He affirmed himself - what was an innovation in the Breton movement - hostile with militarism and colonialism.

The creation of the UDB marked a rupture in the history of the Breton movement which, until there, was rather marked on the right.

It takes part in the elections as of 1965. Jean-Paul Berre is elected on a list of Union of the left with dominant Communist of the Guilvinec and becomes assistant with the mayor and first elected official of the UDB.

Beginnings: 1966 -1969

The first years are difficult. The party believes slowly and has only few means. It approaches the left parties, in particular PSU and FGDS. As from 1967, however, recruitment intensifies, in particular in the medium of the student trade unionism. With the elections legislative of 1967 the UDB supports Michel Phlipponneau and proposes to the left-wing candidates a " Program Minimum Democratic Régional". Half of them accept. The party also begins against the Guerre of Vietnam and condemns the actions of the politically FAS while claiming the release of its militants.

With the referendum of 1969, the UDB invites to vote " NON" and creates with Ar Falz and JEB a committee of action for the Breton language.

The party is however undermined by internal divisions. The direction is opposed to certain militants who, around Jean-Yves Guiomar and Alain Guyader want to impose a line of Ultra-gauche.

The crisis of 1969 - 1970

Internal contradictions with the party burst with the congress of 1969 where Alain Guyader challenges the charter of the UDB and proposes a line inspired of the ideas of Rosa Luxembourg. He refuses, in addition to condemn the Soviet invasion of the Czechoslovakia, one year before, thus repudiating the direction.

The conflict succeeds the 1970 other than Jean-Yves Guiomar and Alain Guyader for " refusal of the democratic centralism, constant undervaluation of the adversary, impatience and theory of the acting minorities, irrealism and idolatry of the spontanée". Ten members of the section Paris-North who had solidarized themselves excluded are excluded in their turn as two sections of Rennes which disputed the form of exclusion. The other members are summoned to approve under penalty of car-being excluded.

Ronan Leprohon will justify the exclusion of the gauchists by calling upon a threat on the identity of the party and its integration in the left French. The adoption of a line of Ultra-gauche would have leads to the rupture with the PCF and, consequently, to the insulation of the party.

Part of excluded will found a theoretical review - the Breton mole - which will disappear quickly. The majority of the others will leave the political life.

The period ostentation: 1970 - 1978

The party is rebuilt with the congress of Guidel III and adopts the democratic Centralisme like operating process. It also adopts a Marxist line and claims in a modified version of its charter the abolition of capitalism and the collective appropriation of the means of productions. At the same time, a list UDB obtains 11,5% of the voices to the by-election of Auray, primarily thanks to the personality of its candidate Sten Kidna. In the municipal elections of 1971, the UDB takes part in the lists of union of the left, except with Brest where it obtains 4,8%.

The number of members - 243 in 1971 - grows throughout the years 1970, in particular thanks to the investment of the party in the social struggles. The UDB engages in the conflict of the French Joint (factory of Saint-Brieuc) like in several other conflicts of less width.

To the legislative elections of 1973, the UDB introduced 5 candidates who obtained from 0,8% to 3,2% in spite of the important presence of SAV. Best placed, Erwan Evenou, exceeds the 3% in the district Hennebont - Faouët, with a point with 14% with Holy-Brigitte.

With cantonal from the same year, it obtains 4,45% of the voices with a point with 6,7% with Lorient. In presidential of 1974, it takes part in the countryside of the second turn and supports François Mitterrand.

The party also tries an opening to international while joining within the Charter of Brest the Union C Pobo Galego, it, and Herriko Alderi Sozialista. These groups, of obedience Marxists will appear however transitory.

To the cantonal elections of 1976, the UDB introduces 9 candidates who obtain on average 5,27% of the voices while the number of members exceeds the 600. The local elections of 1977 allow him, in addition to obtain 35 elected officials within the framework of lists of union of the left. This year sees also the opening of the first school Diwan, with the assistance, in particular of Rene Hostis, member of the political office. This event causes nevertheless a debate within the direction marked by the trade unionism teaching and traditionally hostile with the creation of private schools.

In 1978, the party introduces 17 candidates to the legislative elections in a context of strong polarization. It is a failure which burdens its finances and revives internal contradictions between a direction communisante and a base which starts to be gained by the ideas ecologists.

The crisis of 1974

A new crisis occurs in April 1974: bound by the refusal to invite to vote for the one applicant of the French left to presidential, militants UDB, members of the communist group Marxist-Leninist Sklerijenn (Clearness), Youths Progressists of Brittany (youth movement of the UDB) and the section of Fougères of the UDB call publicly with the abstention, denouncing the past “colonialist” and “petainist” of François Mitterrand and the “reformism of the common Programme” of the Union of the Left. Militants are excluded after having resigned in April, their decision being announced by a letter addressed to all the members of the party.

The crisis of 1978 - 1984

The failure with legislative and the rupture of the union of the left, where the UDB was located resolutely, weigh on the growth of the party which slows down in spite of encouraging results (5,63%) to cantonal of 1979 it true is marked by a deep demobilization of the electorate.

The UDB works out more autonomous a strategy then known as " Progressive block breton" aiming at associating the whole of the left forces favorable to regionalization. This project appeared however dubious in an electoral landscape dominated from now on by the PS. Besides the party condemned strongly the terrorism of the FAS, contrary to the other left parties. That pushed a certain number of young people to be moved away from him and to join more radical structures, in particular Emgann which appears in 1980. A party of militant energies turn to the cultural activity and in particular Diwan

The victory of the left in 1981, paradoxically, accentuates the demobilization. Even if decentralization, the abandonment of the power station of Plogoff, the suppression of the Capital punishment go in the direction of its proposals, the UDB weighs little on a triumphing PS and its utility does not seem obvious any more. A certain number of persons in charge, whose Ronan Prohon join the PS.

The party hesitates as for the action to be taken. With the congress of Nantes a line based on the concept of " Block progressiste" is adopted and the old direction is put in minority. Henri Gourmelen becomes spokesperson.

To the problems of strategy the financial problems are added. The sales of the Breton Peuple decline and the survival of the newspaper appears a threatened time. The conflicts are exacerbated in particular between the sections léonardes, more " nationalistes" and direction. 6 members of the political office on 27 refuse the political report/ratio.

The scission of 1984

In 1984, with the congress of Lorient, one of the sections léonardes, whose motion had collected a third of the vote, created a competitor movement, Frankiz Breizh, which is based primarily with Brest and in its immediate surroundings. The election of the political office does not gather any more that one about fifty militants and many members, disgusted by the internal quarrels, leave the movement.

Crisis of 1984 to 2001

After the departure of the Brest-native militants, the party is rebuilt and approached the European free Alliance which then gathered about fifteen regionalistic parties of center-left. In spite of considerable financial problems, it presents about thirty candidates to the cantonal elections of 1985 and obtains on average 4,2%. Results in the area of Brest its however in fall.

The regional elections of 1986, marked by a strong bipolarisation, are a failure for the party which collects 1,51% of the voices. Its strategy turns then to Europe. The contacts with the Plaid Cymru are regular and in 1987 the UDB adheres to the European free Alliance. It organizes, in addition, a Breton Gathering Antifascist and Antiracist with the Greens, PSU, Emgann, FGA, Ar Falz, Skol year Emsav, MRAP and S.O.S Racism to counter the rise of the National front.

In 1988, the UDB supports Pierre Juquin with the first turn and François Mitterrand with the second and reinforces positions with the local elections of the following year thanks to a strategy of alliance with the other left party. Manpower of the party start again to increase.

Decree on November 29th, 1990 because Basque militants, supposed members of ETA, were challenged at his place, a militant of the UDB, Jean Groix, is mixed wrongly a sordid business of crime (removal and murder of a young girl, Natacha Danais) which has occurred in its vicinity. It commits suicide in prison.

In 1992, following the failure of the negotiations with the Greens, UDB presents an autonomous list with Emgann (which will be withdrawn following a dissension on designations) and POBL. The results are disappointing (2%) and reinforces the mistrust of the UDB towards alliances with the other components of the Emsav. Besides the relations with POBL will tighten progressively drift droitière of this party. With legislative of March 1993 it is with the Greens and AREV that will be combined the UDB with results going of 1,3% to 7,4% according to the districts.

The congress of Saint-Brieuc, in 1994, is the occasion of a bringing together with Frankiz Breizh whose political positions never differed from those of the UDB. The two formations will take part in November of the same year, in the creation of the federation Régions and Interdependent people and will take part in concert in its animation with, in particular, the Partit Occitan, the Union of the Corsica People and Eusko Alkartasuna

To the legislative elections of 1997, it introduces 22 candidates, in spite of the deadlines very short, and obtains 2,05%. With the regional of 1998, it tries an alliance with the PS but the discussions do not succeed and the UDB present of the autonomous lists. It obtains, on average 3,04%, in spite of the presence of several other regionalistic lists of inspiration.

The August 10th 1999, an arson touches the stand held by the popular Presses of Brittany in interceltic margin of the Festival of Lorient. Around 7 p.m., in the middle of the idlers, four encagoulés individuals emerged, sprinkled methylated spirits the stand of the popular Presses of Brittany, behind which two militants of the UDB were, and put front light at it to flee. The four authors of this action-commando were identified, translated into justice and were condemned, after having recognized the facts, by the Magistrates' court of Lorient on October 1st 2001. Meanwhile the four authors of the arson of Lorient will receive the official support of Laurent Jutel, known for its writings in the press of extreme right-hand side.

In June 2000, a article published in the Breton People blames seriously Gaël Roblin, leader of Emgann put in examination in the Affaire of Quévert which will be finally discharged, involving strong reactions of members of the UDB which sees there an attack with the Présomption of innocence. By the voice of its spokesperson, Christian Guyonvarc' H, the party regularly denounces the serious attacks with the Présomption of innocence of the separatist fighters continued in the files " Attacks in Brittany 1993-2000" , " Business of Quévert " and " Business of Plévin " , being caught some in particular with the socialist minister Justice, Marylise Lebranchu. The UDB also protests against the excessive duration of detentions pending trial, the imprisonment in Paris region and the lack of care deliberated imposed on Alain Solé, Paskal Laizé and Gerard Bernard, separatist fighters imprisoned.

From 2001 with today

After 2001, the party knows a certain progression of the number of its militants as well as an improvement of its electoral results. With the local elections of 2001, it chooses to take part in lists of union of the left safe with Sarzeau, Guingamp, Redon, Lannion and Saint-Nazaire. The results vary between 6,02% to Saint-Nazaire and 13,7% with Guingamp. The UDB is maintained to the second turn in Sarzeau and Guingamp. The party takes part, in addition, with the list of Christian Troadec, regarded as close relation of its ideas and who is elected mayor of Carhaix. This success pushes the UDB to consider an autonomous list directed by Christian Troadec with the regional elections of 2004. It finishes, however, by opening negotiations with the Greens. The UDB is in strong position. A regionalistic list could obtain between 3 and 5%, decreasing by as much the score of the ecologists and condemning their effort of independence with respect to the Socialist party. The discussions succeed quickly, the more so as the positions of the two formations are close. The UDB obtains a third of the places and a chief candidate. The elections themselves are a success with meadows of 10% of the voices. The UDB obtains three elected officials, plus connected, and a vice-presidency.

The referendum of May 2005 led several known militants of the UDB to invite to vote " Non" , against the official majority position of the party which invited to vote in favor of the Traité for a European constitution.

With the presidential election of 2007, the UDB supports the candidature of Dominique Voynet.

Organization

The UDB is organized in local sections gathered in seven federations: Finistere, Tregor-Goëlo, Morbihan, Rancid-Penthièvre, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique and Emigration. The party is directed by an political office made up of 14 elected members every two years with the congress and of 14 federal representatives.

The federations elect an federal office which includes/understands a federal boss, a second federal representative, a federal secretary, a treasurer, a person in charge presses and a person in charge of the external businesses. The federal boss and the second representative are members of the political office. They are directed by a federal committee composed of the federal office, other members of the political office members of the fédératio and persons in charge of sections.

The members of the political office elected with the congress of Quimper November 11th and 12th 2006 are:

Nicole Placed
Herri Gourmelen
Michel Genin
Remi Beauto
Robert Pedron
Jean Jacques Page
Mona Bras
Philippe Coulau
Isabelle Chotard
Gwenael Henry
Ronan Leprohon
Ronan Divard
Paul Mingant
Damien Perrotin

The UDB and elections

The UDB takes part then regularly in the elections, either on autonomous lists or on lists of alliance with various other French left parties (Green, PS, PRG,…). She also regularly introduces candidates to cantonal and legislative, including in Paris region. It is with Frankiz Breizh and the Breton Parti one of the three Breton parties to have elected officials. Thus Ronan Leprohon became he the first regional adviser separatist of France by his nomination in 1977 at the district council of Brittany and Christian Guyonvarc' H becomes he regional adviser and vice-president of the district council in load of the European and international relations) in 2004 following the success of UDB to the regional elections where it obtains 10% of the votes in alliance with the Greens. It presented, or supported, on several occasions of the candidates resulting from immigration.

The UDB counts two other representatives at the District council of Brittany: Mona Arm, spokesperson of the party indicated with the congress of Quimper in November 2006, secretary of the commission of solidarity (housing, health, international solidarity), and Naig the Guy (old member of Emgann), Member of the Commission teaching-formation. They take part both in the work group on the promotion of Breton and the gallo.

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