The party's symbol is the red rooster, representing Wallonia, inside a hexagon, which is a common geometric representation of France.

The blue, white, and red represent the colours of the French national flag.

Defending the principles of republicanism, democracy, pluralism, and socialism, the party was founded on 27 November 1999 in Charleroi.

It was established on the basis of a reconciliation between three organisations: André Libert's Rassemblement Wallon (RW); Paul-Henry Gendebien's Democratic Alliance Wallone (AWD), which was formed in 1985 when Gendebien left the Social Christian Party (PSC); and the Walloon Movement for the Return to France (RF), chaired by Maurice Lebeau.

It was presented again under the label "RWF" in the 2007 federal elections, and received 1.5% of votes in the Senate against 1.2% in the Chamber of Representatives in Wallonia.