You are more than 2.5 million French citizens living outside of France. In recent years, more than one million young French men and women below the age of 35 left their country to seize new opportunities all around the world. This huge wave of emigration, the biggest since the 18th and 19th centuries, yields enormous consequences for France. In terms of demographics and economics, the impact on France equals World War I losses.

We need French expatriates. Wherever you are, together you represent 7% of the French electorate. You are frustrated with French politics and you want change. You might be far away from France but your voice and ideas count more than ever.

Last March, Alternative Libérale, the first classical liberal party emerged on the French political landscape. Thousands of people who had lost faith in French politics have joined the new movement created by young executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, think tank activists and young politicians.

As France slips once again towards fear, xenophobia, economic stagnation and protectionism, as anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism and radical Islam grow, clearing a deadly open field for the spread of extremism in all its forms within the disenfranchised layers of French society, we have to start putting France back on its feet.

Of course, what has been destroyed in decades cannot be restored over night, but it is time to start moving forward with a new generation of citizens, to unite the country by respecting cultural differences and by standing up for our economic interests.

Alternative Libérale represents those who believe in liberalism in the purest sense. Fiscally conservative, the party promotes :

"Laissez Faire" economics,
aggressive fiscal policies directed toward boosting growth and employment,
accountability,
entrepreneurship,
free trade and globalization,
tax cut packages,
a complete remolding of the French social model.

In foreign policy, we want to address the friends of France who live in every corner of the planet and are concerned by the path France is currently taking. We want to reach out to those citizens of the world who cherish the universal values of the Enlightment. We want to speak with the people from Asia who now embrace free-trade and free-markets, to the people of Africa and Latin America who want to fight for democracy, to those Americans who honor and respect the historical ties with "Lafayette and Tocqueville's country". We want to assure each of you that Alternative Libérale wishes to regenerate our friendship with the people who stand-up for democracy, freedom and human rights, and to renew France's alliance with the United States and Israel, while strengthening the links with the moderate democratic Arabic & Muslim countries in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.

In one word, we want to put an end to the French habit of flirting with dictators. In foreign policy, our program is simple: freedom will be the key.

To achieve these goals, Alternative Libérale will voice its ideas in the up-coming French elections, either by seeking representation directly or by strongly supporting candidates from other parties who defend the same ideals. Only ideas and change matter to us: we have no personal agenda. We just want to help bring change.

We need your commitment and we need your help.

As leader for Foreign Affairs of Alternative Libérale, I am asking all our foreign friends for your expertise and connections. Please spread the word to every possible interested community.

To my fellow compatriots, I urge you to join us in becoming the architects of a fresh start. Time is running out: let's act promptly, whatever our political backgrounds, past beliefs and values.

You can make a difference. We need you, France needs you !

Best regards,

Philippe Manteau
Foreign Affairs Leader, Alternative Libérale

Alternative Libérale - Le parti pris de la Liberté - 94, boulevard Flandrin - 75116 Paris - Tél.: 01.47.55.10.27