which represented a conservative secular tradition, as opposed to the CDS's social Catholicism. This group featured numerous internal differences--"distinguished largely by their closeness to or distance from Chirac's Gaullism." In addition, the UDF took in the much smaller Mouvement dTmocrate et socialiste, "a small Centrist grouping." There were also a number of so-called "adhTrents directs," who joined the UDF without wishing to align themselves with any of its member parties. A final important element in the UDF was the Clubs perspectives et rTalitTs, youth and student organizations "which were sympathetic to, but not directly affiliated to, the Republican Party."
The UDF, being centered around Giscard and constantly subject to internal stress from the conflicts among its member parties, was not expected to last much beyond Giscard's term--or terms. In 1981 Giscard failed to be reelected to the presidency, and Wilson, in 1982, noted that, with the major exception of Gaullism, few such groups "endure even through the political career o
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