It is a Eurosceptic and sovereigntist party that strongly opposes European integration and promotes the "multipolar order" instead; the party argues that the United States of America holds a hegemonic position over the international markets and relations, and seeks to replace that with an order where no major power would dominate.

It included members of left-wing opposition (socialist and communist candidates) to Maastricht Treaty, feminists, radicals, and Gaullists.

The MDC supported the Socialist candidate Lionel Jospin for the 1995 French presidential election, then integrated the Gauche plurielle coalition.

Chevènement and the MRC supported the Socialist Ségolène Royal's candidacy in the 2007 French presidential election to prevent a new 21 April 2002 shock.

The MRC fielded candidates in the 2007 French legislative election, including Chevènement in Territoire-de-Belfort, seat he had lost in 2002 to the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).

The party sees potential in the Common Foreign and Security Policy, arguing that it “had opened the way for autonomous European action which could challenge US hegemony and contribute to the development of multipolar world”.

The Citizen and Republican Movement describes itself as a party that combines "national independence with the quest for social equality", and stated: "There cannot be one without the other.

"[14] The MRC also broadly cooperates with fellow anti-EU left-wing parties, including having links with far-left groups that oppose Maastrich and Amsterdam Treaties, as well as sharing electoral lists with the "plural left".