Three journalists, Tunisian, Algerian, and Moroccan, give their vision of this unprecedented inter-round in France.
How do the Mahgreb countries view the French political situation? On the other side of the Mediterranean, ties are strong with Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia and these countries are worried about the possible coming to power of the RN in France. The party plans to reduce immigration, limit access to certain sectors for dual nationals, and reverse certain migration agreements. Maghreb countries feel particularly targeted and fear the rise of the far-right party.
In Tunisia, “it’s a cold shower”
Journalist in Tunis for the independent media Inkyfada, Zeïneb Ben Ismaïl carefully follows French news: “It’s a bit of a cold shower. It’s a trend that is catching up even with our direct neighbor, one of the biggest partners of Tunisia, where we say ‘ah yes, in fact, this is really what is happening’.”
Zeïneb is Franco-Tunisian and as a dual national, even on the other side of the Mediterranean, the rise of the RN worries her. “We are going to plunge into the unknown. But we also know that, despite the party’s positions or at least their ideals, in reality, it is not very realistic to say that relations will perhaps be sawn overnight,” reassures the 29-year-old journalist.
In Algeria, “we no longer expect much”
With the Algerian neighbor, relations are already a little strained, underlines Lounes Guemache, director of the electronic daily Tout sur l’Algérie which titled one of these articles, “The RN at the gates of power” the day after the first round in France. “We have the impression, seen from Algeria, that France is no longer a reliable partner, assures the journalist. We still saw speeches from Madame Le Pen and Mr. Bardella on Algeria on the verge of lack of respect They announced that they were going to put an end to the 1968 agreement [a special regime for residence permits granted to Algerian nationals], that they are going to stop visas…. It will impact part of the. population.”
And Lounes Guemache recalls that “the history of this party is very particular, its founder [Jean-Marie Le Pen] was accused of torture in Algeria during the war. We know that it will be complicated, he adds. But the problem is that it is not only with the RN, this rise of the extreme right in France and in Europe, is even a trend that is set to last today. So people say. ‘we don’t expect much anymore’.
In Morocco, two visions compete
Surprisingly, some Moroccans expect something from the RN. Several party members have spoken out in favor of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by the kingdom. For Abdellah Tourabi, Moroccan political journalist and columnist, this explains the two points of view that are disputed in his country: “The number one question for Moroccans is the question of the Sahara. So for some Moroccans, we consider that the rise of the extreme right would be favorable to the Moroccan position, he deciphers. On the other hand, the RN is xenophobic, Islamophobic, and hostile to foreigners. It will take measures that will ruin the lives of people. thousands of Moroccans who live in France.”
If the RN came to power, all three were worried about the fate reserved for North Africans living in France and the possibility, for, of going to the opposite shore of the Mediterranean.
