French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau belongs to a faction of the French right that has never accepted that Algeria won its independence rather than being granted it by France, according to French editorialist and international affairs expert Anthony Bellanger.
“Bruno Retailleau belongs to a tradition of the French right that has never been able to admit that Algeria (won) its independence and that it was not given to them. Algeria launched a revolution in 1954, fought for its independence, and said ‘no’ to France,” Bellanger stated on France Info TV.
“But this part of the French right, in which the military and the establishment had placed so much hope, still expresses itself through figures like Retailleau,” he added during a television appearance.
LFI Criticizes Retailleau’s Anti-Algeria Escalation
The La France Insoumise (LFI) party stated on Friday that Bruno Retailleau was using “every possible pretext” to attack Algeria, emphasizing that this escalation serves “personal interests.”
Speaking to France Info Radio, LFI parliamentary group president Mathilde Panot criticized Retailleau for using “all possible pretexts to raise tensions with Algeria and engage in an escalation that ultimately serves personal interests” in his bid for the presidency of the right-wing party Les Républicains (LR).
Panot added that the escalation initiated by the French government against Algeria was irresponsible.
Immigration and OQTF Orders
Regarding immigration, Panot and LFI lawmaker Eric Coquerel, president of the Finance Committee in the French National Assembly, pointed out that Algeria accepts deportation orders (OQTF) at the same rate as Morocco and Tunisia.
On Wednesday, LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon strongly criticized the French Interior Minister for his attacks on Algeria, reminding him that it is the Foreign Minister who should handle immigration-related matters.
Opposition to France’s Anti-Algeria Narrative
Several voices in France have spoken out against the disinformation campaign led by French ministers, officials, and far-right groups who continuously attack Algeria.
APS
