France: LFI Deputy Condemns Interior Minister’s Provocations Against Algeria
A deputy from the French party “La France Insoumise” (LFI) has vehemently criticized the provocations made by her country’s Interior Minister towards Algeria, branding him a “poor agitator.”
During a debate on the French government’s general policy, Mathilde Panot, president of the LFI parliamentary group, voiced her concerns to Prime Minister François Bayrou, stating, “Your interior minister has distinguished himself with his racist remarks, referring to some of our fellow citizens as ‘paper French.'”
She specifically denounced the minister’s attempts to present himself as a diplomat regarding Algeria, arguing that he is merely a mediocre instigator. “Who does Bruno Retailleau think he is to provoke unbearable tension for millions of French citizens who maintain a deep connection of affection and respectful brotherhood with the Algerian people?” she asserted.
In response to the provocations made by the French Interior Minister, Catherine Tricot, director of the publication “Regards”, reminded him that France cannot deport individuals to another country without prior agreement. “The issue of OQTF (obligation to leave French territory) is complex. We cannot send people away without having arrangements in place with the country they are being sent to,” she explained during an appearance on a television channel.
Tricot emphasized the necessity for France to de-escalate tensions and reassess its global relationships. “We must engage with the rest of the world with greater attentiveness and respect, and stop imagining we can assert ourselves by flexing our muscles and banging our fists on the table,” she insisted.
She highlighted the importance of relations with Algeria, noting that “almost a quarter of the French population has ties to Algeria.” She continued, “The number of people who have lived in Algeria and maintain loving and historical connections with it is significant. This relationship cannot be treated as just another political issue,” she stressed.
The recent disinformation campaign against Algeria by far-right factions in France has prompted various reactions within the French political landscape, with many condemning the ongoing attacks against Algerians. Former Minister Ségolène Royal referred to France’s “moral debt” to Algeria, stemming from the crimes committed during colonization, while the left-wing party La France Insoumise sharply criticized French ministers and officials who have recently targeted Algeria.
The Franco-Algerian Federation for Consolidation and Renewal (FFA) also expressed its “strongest indignation at the political-media campaign directed against Algeria and the Algerians.”
