André Renard

Renard, pictured in 1961 André Renard (25 May 191120 July 1962) was a Belgian trade union leader who, in the aftermath of World War II, became an influential figure within the Walloon Movement.

Born into a working-class family, Renard was as a metalworker in the Liège region in Wallonia in the era of the Great Depression before becoming involved in the Federation of Metalworkers of Liège (''Fédération des métallurgistes de Liège'') in 1937. He established an underground trade union in German-occupied Belgium during the Second World War which sought to unite socialist and communist unions within a united trade union (''syndicat unique''). He emerged as a powerful figure within trade unionism in the aftermath of the Liberation of Belgium.

Renard entered the newly established General Labour Federation of Belgium (''Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique'', FGTB) in 1945 and emerged as a political figure with a national reputation in following years. He became increasingly interested in federalism at the time of the Royal Question in 1950 in which he was a vocal critic of the return of King Leopold III. He was prevented from becoming secretary-general of the FGTB in 1952 but was able to take the deputy secretary-general role with responsibility for Wallonia. The acrimonious failed general strike of 1960–1961 revealed the split between Walloon and Flemish aspirations and led to Renard's resignation in 1961.

Renard's political thinking, which became termed "Renardism" after his death, reflected the belief that left-wing political groups in Belgium should embrace federalism as a means to achieve radical social reform in a way not possible in a unitary state. After his resignation, Renard founded the (''Mouvement Populaire Wallon'', MPW) but died prematurely in July 1962. His ideals remained influential within the Walloon Movement after his death. Provided by Wikipedia
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Congres gehouden op 30 en 31 oktober 1954 By Renard, André
Date 1954
monografie
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Statutair Congres gehouden op 19, 20 en 21 mei 1951 By Renard, André
Date 1951
brochure
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Statutair Congres gehouden op 19, 20 en 21 mei 1951 By Renard, André
Date 1951
monografie
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Rapport présenté au congrès statutaire des 2, 3, 4 juillet 1954 By Renard, André
Date 1954
monografie
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uit: Synthèses, 1961, jrg. 16 ; 186 ; By Renard, André
Date 1961
monografie
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Bibliotheek François Vercammen By Renard, André
Date 1958
brochure
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Op titelpagina : extrait de la revue 'Europe" (octobre 1961) By Renard, André
Date 1961
monografie
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Collectie Vrijzinnige Werkmansbibliotheek By Bondas, Joseph, Renard, André
Date 1955
monografie