The rise of the far right in France and Europe has caused great concern among immigrant communities, particularly Algerians living in France. The National Rally (RN) list, led by Jordan Bardella, obtained an impressive score of 31.5% in the last European elections.
Immigrants fear that far-right policies will make their lives even more precarious and complicated in France. The new immigration law, already strict, risks becoming even harsher with the rise of the RN. The far-right party has always highlighted immigration as a central subject of its program.
However, some prefer to remain optimistic. They believe that Jordan Bardella’s policies, although strict, may not surpass the already drastic measures put in place by Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior. Darmanin’s immigration law has complicated the process of regularizing undocumented immigrants, making their situation even more precarious. Deadlines for submitting an asylum application are reduced from three weeks to just five days, making it more difficult for applicants to gather the necessary evidence. But this is not the case for Algerians established in France who are governed by the bilateral agreements of 1968.
The RN attacks the Franco-Algerian agreements of 1968
Indeed, the day after the victory of the party list in the European elections, the spokesperson for the RN, Sébastien Chenu, set the pace. He promised if his party is elected during the legislative elections in July, to propose to repeal the Franco-Algerian bilateral agreements of 1968, which he considers to be favorable to the Algerians. These agreements govern and regulate the movement, employment, and stay of Algerian nationals in France, giving them a special status.
The RN also wishes to establish “national preference” as a constitutional law to advantage a person of French nationality over a foreigner, for access to housing and employment, in particular. When it comes to expulsion, Jordan Bardella’s party has indicated that it is for zero irregular immigration. That is to say, all undocumented immigrants should be expelled from French territory. The party is also in favor of restricting religious freedoms in public spaces.
Dark horizons for immigrants in France?
In any case, the victory of the far right arouses deep concern among immigrants. Brahim, an Algerian employee living in France for 15 years, expresses his bitterness and fear about the uncertain future. For him, France has always needed immigrants for its development.
Official statistics show that immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in key sectors such as home care, construction, hotels and restaurants, and cleaning. Malika, a 36-year-old Algerian, who has not obtained a residence permit after five years of irregular presence, is worried about having to return to her country of origin.
Meziane, an Algerian luxury clothing seller, regularized after ten years of precariousness, is worried about his compatriots who are still without papers. He insists that immigration is often a forced choice, and not a decision taken lightly.
