Rexism

Rexism (French: Rexisme) was a far-right political movement in Belgium active during the interwar period and World War II. It was founded between 1930 and 1932 by Léon Degrelle, a Catholic activist and journalist. The movement derived its name from the publishing house Christus Rex (“Christ the King”), which served as its ideological and organizational foundation.¹

Initially emerging from Catholic youth activism, Rexism developed into a distinctly Belgian form of fascism, combining authoritarian nationalism, corporatism, and populist anti-establishment rhetoric.

Rexism originated within Catholic Action circles and was initially focused on moral and religious reform of Belgian society.² Its early ideological framework was heavily influenced by Monseigneur Louis Picard, who advocated a corporatist, authoritarian Catholic state.³

Core ideological elements included:

• rejection of parliamentary democracy as inefficient and corrupt;
• support for an authoritarian state grounded in Catholic principles;
• advocacy of corporatism as an alternative to liberal capitalism and socialism;
• emphasis on social hierarchy, discipline, and national unity;
• strong anti-communism and anti-liberalism.

Picard’s vision emphasized that political authority derived from God rather than the people.⁴ Following its electoral breakthrough in 1936, Rexism became increasingly radicalized, adopting elements associated with Italian Fascism and Nazism.

The movement’s origins can be traced to student activism at the Catholic University of Leuven, particularly around the publication L’Avant-Garde.⁵ Rexism emerged through the Catholic youth organization Association Catholique de la Jeunesse Belge (ACJB).⁶ In 1930, Degrelle assumed leadership of Les Éditions Rex, transforming it into a key propaganda instrument.⁷

Rexism gained prominence during the crises of the 1930s, marked by unemployment and dissatisfaction with parliamentary governance.⁸ In the 1936 elections, the Rexist Party won 21 seats in parliament, representing just over 10% of the national vote.⁹ However, its support declined rapidly after 1936 due to political failures and increasing extremism.¹⁰

During the German occupation of Belgium, Rexism became openly collaborationist. Degrelle aligned the movement with Nazi Germany. Rexist members participated in administrative collaboration and joined the Walloon Legion, later incorporated into the Waffen-SS, fighting on the Eastern Front.¹¹ After the liberation of Belgium, Degrelle was sentenced to death in absentia but fled to Spain, where he lived in exile until 1994.

Rexism relied heavily on propaganda and media influence.¹² A 1941 article in Time magazine portrayed Degrelle in critical and ironic terms, describing him as a figure who frequently claimed involvement in ideological struggles abroad.¹³

Scholarly study of Rexism developed slowly due to the political sensitivity of fascism in Belgium. Jean-Michel Étienne’s Le Mouvement rexiste avant 1940 (1968) remains a foundational study. Later historians, such as Martin Conway, have emphasized Rexism’s role in wartime collaboration and its ideological evolution.

Rexism is regarded as one of the main expressions of fascism in Belgium. Its collaboration with Nazi Germany contributed to its lasting negative reputation, particularly in Wallonia.