On June 9, the National Rally (RN) won a landslide victory in the European elections, sending shockwaves through the Algerian diaspora in France. For a community that has been targeted by the far-right for years, this victory means a potential takeover. This threat is pushing Franco-Algerians to seriously consider alternatives, including securing Algerian nationality.
President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly following this electoral defeat portends early legislative elections on June 30 and July 7. The RN could then consolidate its position and integrate far-right leaders into the French government, a prospect that raises concern and the urgency of a reassessment of the future for many Franco-Algerians.
A Community in Alarm
For years, the French far-right has been targeting immigration, particularly from Algeria. For many Algerians in France, the possibility of seeing the RN in power is seen as a disaster waiting to happen. Sébastien Chenu, the RN spokesperson, recently reiterated that one of his party’s priorities would be to repeal the 1968 agreements between France and Algeria, aimed at tightening immigration conditions and combating illegal immigration.
The priorities displayed by the RN also include the drastic reduction of extra-European immigration, the abolition of land law, and the facilitation of the expulsion of delinquent foreigners. This rhetoric and these potential measures are seen as a direct threat by Algerians in France, who feel increasingly targeted and stigmatized.
The Response of the Franco-Algerians
Faced with these growing threats, many Franco-Algerians see Algerian nationality as a safety net. “Applying for Algerian nationality has become an emergency,” says Celia, a Franco-Algerian based in Paris. Amine, who lives in the Paris region, shares this opinion: “The more passports I have, the safer I am.”
The far-right’s stated intentions suggest that Algerians with French nationality and long-term residency may not be directly impacted by the first legislative measures. However, on an ideological level, the rise of the RN is causing a feeling of exclusion among many Franco-Algerians. The statistics on racism in France are alarming: a 32% increase in racist acts in 2023 compared to 2022, with nearly 15,000 acts recorded by the police, not counting those that went unreported.
Preparing for the Future
Some Franco-Algerians do not want to wait until they are excluded from their own country to react. “I’m not going to wait until I’m excluded from my own country to react,” says Amine. “Having a valid Algerian passport reassures me. I could always take refuge in my second country. » This feeling is shared by many others, who see obtaining or renewing Algerian nationality as a means of guaranteeing their security and that of their families.
Algeria, for its part, is reaching out to its diaspora. Algerian authorities are facilitating access to Algerian nationality and inviting Algerians abroad to get involved in Algerian elections and invest in their home country. “Keeping my Algerian nationality and passing it on to my children is a choice that reassures me,” explains Rania, a mother of three in Lyon. “I just want to give them an option for security.”
A Crucial Election
The French legislative elections in June and July will be a crucial deadline for Algerians in France. The results will determine whether France remains a welcoming land or whether it becomes hostile to certain communities. In the meantime, the Franco-Algerian community is preparing for different scenarios, considering the possibility of seeing their security and stability compromised.
Tensions between France and Algeria show no sign of easing. The far-right continues to stigmatize Algerians, and the diaspora finds itself at a crossroads, between an increasingly hostile host country and a homeland that extends its arms to them. Franco-Algerians wonder what the future holds for them in a France where racist acts are on the rise and the far-right is gaining ground.
The results of the French legislative elections will be crucial for the Algerian diaspora. They will indicate whether France can still be seen as a welcoming country or whether it is becoming increasingly hostile towards certain communities. In the meantime, many Franco-Algerians are preparing for the possible need to leave the country, seeking safety and stability elsewhere. In this tense context, Algeria appears as a potential refuge, a second home where they could feel safe and welcome.
