By: Naji Ali Amhaz

Mitterrand and the Lodges: The Republic in the Forefront, Freemasonry in the Background

I received this article from a high-ranking dignitary of the Grand Orient in France, who is among the ten most prominent figures in global Freemasonry. I am not sharing this for the purpose of promotion, but rather to shed light for Lebanese politicians and everyone who believes they are practicing "politics" in this country. Many today ask: What has changed? And why is Lebanon no longer the "Switzerland of the East"?

Lebanon was the "Switzerland of the East" when its political elite was open to the world, informed about global decision-making centers, and connected to international networks of influence—not isolated in cafés, trapped in populist speeches, or feeding on rumors. In those days, politics was not managed with a narrow local mindset, but with a deep understanding of both the hidden and visible balances of the world.

The same applied to Egypt, which once lent money to Britain, while today it lives on aid. The same applied to Syria, when a Christian served as its Minister of Islamic Endowments (Awqaf), whereas today they are treated as "Dhimmis" and minorities awaiting their fate. The same applied to Iraq under Abdul Karim Qasim, who founded OPEC—the organization that is now the most powerful economic force globally. Shall we continue? The space is too narrow to list all examples, but the difference between yesterday and today is clear even to the "blind."

Modern Lebanese history cannot be separated from the role of Lebanese figures who were part of these global circles. Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Speakers of Parliament were known for their vast connections and held weight and respect in major world capitals. Therefore, it was not strange for Lebanon, despite its small size, to hold a status that exceeded its geography.

The world, unfortunately, is not managed as many current decision-makers believe. Politics is not merely speeches, populism, or "analyses" tailored to please the audience. It is knowledge, accumulation, and constant awareness of what happens behind doors that are never opened to the oblivious.

Just as rituals precede the entry into prayer, knowledge precedes the entry into politics. He who does not know how the world is managed, and hears nothing but the echo of his own voice, remains outside of history, regardless of how high his position may be.

Lebanon did not fall because it is small; it fell because it abandoned its elite and replaced knowledge with isolation, and reason with noise.

* I leave you with the following article, which clarifies a great deal and which I consider essential for understanding global politics:

Mitterrand and the Lodges: The Republic in the Forefront, Freemasonry in the Background

Paragraph One (Introduction):

Today, January 8, 2026, marks thirty years since the passing of François Mitterrand, nicknamed "The Sphinx." His shadow still looms over the history of the Fifth Republic. Among the mysteries surrounding his personality, his complex and intertwined relationship with Freemasonry stands out as one of the most intriguing issues for research. While Mitterrand was never formally initiated as a "Mason" (never wore the apron), his two presidential terms witnessed a Masonic presence in the corridors of power unprecedented in modern French history.

Paragraph Two (Intellectual Attraction):

François Mitterrand was not a Mason in the ritualistic sense, but he was a "Mason without an apron" in terms of thought and environment. Mitterrand was drawn to Freemasonry for two fundamental reasons: his natural inclination toward secrecy and symbolism, and his strategic need for a powerful network of influence to support his socialist project and ensure the stability of the secular Republic. Mitterrand saw the Lodges, especially the "Grand Orient de France," as a reservoir of ideas and a fortress for the republican values he sought to entrench in French society.

Paragraph Three (Freemasonry at the Heart of Power):

Upon arriving at the Élysée Palace in 1981, Mitterrand surrounded himself with prominent Masonic figures who occupied sovereign positions. This was not a matter of chance, but a conscious choice to integrate Masonic intellectual elites into the building of "New France." Names like Roger Leray (former Grand Master of the Grand Orient) and Fred Zeller formed a "hidden thread" linking major political decisions to Masonic values based on Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Freemasonry during the Mitterrand era was the true "laboratory" where major social laws were formulated, from the abolition of the death penalty to the enhancement of public liberties.

Paragraph Four (Architecture and Symbolism):

One cannot discuss Mitterrand and Freemasonry without mentioning the "Grand Projects" (Grands Travaux) that changed the face of Paris. Many analysts see these monuments as an embodiment of "sacred geometry" inspired by Masonic symbols: the Louvre Pyramid, viewed as a symbol of ascension and knowledge; the Grande Arche de La Défense, representing the gateway to the future; and the National Library, with its structures resembling open books. Mitterrand left symbolic imprints in stone to serve as a witness to his cosmic vision that transcended short-term political time.

Paragraph Five (Secularism and the Ideological Alliance):

"Secularism" (Laïcité) formed the strongest point of convergence between Mitterrand and the Masonic Lodges. Facing conservative pressures, Mitterrand found in the Masons fierce allies to defend the schools of the Republic and the separation of Church and State. This battle was the "backbone" of his alliance with the Grand Orient, where the Lodge was seen as the guardian of the Republican temple against all forms of religious hegemony.

Paragraph Six (Conclusion):

Thirty years later, François Mitterrand remains a figure that defies final classification. He knew how to utilize Freemasonry without imprisoning himself within it, and how to grant it a heard voice in the state without it losing its secretive character. The story of Mitterrand and the Lodges is a unique intersection of politics and philosophy, and of interest and values. The "Republic in the Forefront" moved according to the Constitution, while "Freemasonry in the Background" acted as a moral and intellectual compass for a president who knew how to balance contradictions to create his own legend.

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