The National Assembly narrowly supported the far-right resolution to terminate the 1968 agreement with Algeria, which provides Algerians with benefits when relocating to France.
A Symbolic Victory for the National Rally
The National Assembly of France has, for the first time in history, adopted a text proposed by the far-right National Rally. 185 deputies voted in favor of a legally non-binding resolution calling on the government to terminate the 1968 agreement with Algeria, which facilitates the immigration of Algerians to France. 184 deputies, mostly from the left wing, voted against it.
The vote, with a minimal margin, became a symbolic victory for the National Rally, which had been isolated from centrists and the left by a so-called 'sanitary cordon' - an unwritten rule prohibiting cooperation with the far-right. "This can be called a historic day for the National Rally," said the leader of the far-right faction, Marine Le Pen. Although the resolution is not legally binding, Le Pen urged the government to take the parliament's position into account and denounce the agreement that provides Algerians with special conditions regarding immigration and residence in France. "We believe that there are no longer any grounds for maintaining this document," Le Pen explained.
Meanwhile, the left flank of the French parliament condemned the results of the vote. "Previously, your slogans were hatred towards Jews. Yesterday - towards Jews, today - towards Arabs. And tomorrow, who?" asked socialist Laurent Lhardit to the far-right.
The agreement on preferential migration conditions was signed by Algeria and France over half a century ago; however, against the backdrop of deteriorating dialogue between the two countries, the relevance of this document has come into question. Many politicians believe that the privileges for Algerians are outdated and only create additional problems.
Algeria has repeatedly warned Paris that it opposes any revision of the 1968 agreement.
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