French Minister Aurore Bergé did not explicitly label the "great replacement" conspiracy theory as racist during a recent appearance on CNews, a conservative media outlet. The theory, which has gained traction among far-right groups, suggests that immigrants are replacing native populations in Western countries. This discussion comes as part of a broader debate within French politics about the influence of far-right ideas, which have increasingly entered mainstream discourse. The theory has been the subject of an investigative book titled Au nom des blancs by Mathieu Molard, co-editor-in-chief of the StreetPress publication. The book delves into the history of identitarian movements in France, tracing their origins from figures like Dominique Venner to Jordan Bardella. One chapter, published in advance, revisits the origins of the "great replacement" concept, which was first popularized by far-right writer Renaud Camus over 15 years ago. The book highlights how a small group of intellectuals and activists, fixated on cultural identity, have shaped public debate in France. Renaud Camus, a former intellectual with a background in literature and politics, became a central figure in promoting the "great replacement" theory. His journey from a progressive stance in the 1970s and 1980s to a far-right position in the 1990s reflects a significant ideological shift. Camus is known for his influential 2010 work, L'Abécédaire de l'innocence, where he first articulated the idea of a demographic and cultural replacement of the French population by immigrants. His rhetoric, which includes strong antisemitic and racist undertones, has been widely criticized but has also found resonance among far-right circles. The "great replacement" concept has since spread beyond France, influencing far-right movements across Europe and even reaching the United States. In 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump referenced the idea in his National Security Strategy, suggesting that Europe was facing a "civilizational erasure." The term has also been linked to extremist actions, such as the 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, where the perpetrator cited the theory in his manifesto. This underscores the real-world impact of such conspiracy theories, which continue to fuel political and social tensions globally.