Forsaking moral high ground
Protests engulfing several cities in France, including Lyon, Marseille, and parts of Paris, have witnessed a disturbing surge of violence perpetrated by both protesters and law enforcement. However, such unrest is not an isolated incident within the country. Ever since France relinquished its colonies, particularly the brutal departure from Algeria, it has consistently grappled with protests of this nature. Presently, Macron’s government finds itself caught in the crossfire, torn between the demands and pressure emanating from opposing factions. These conflicting demands encompass the rights of immigrants who, by virtue of their citizenship, are considered French nationals, as well as the grievances voiced by French citizens who oppose the presence of immigrants within the country.
The immigrant population in France comprises individuals mainly from North African countries such as Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, predominantly professing the Islamic faith. Another segment includes people from African nations commonly referred to as Black Africa. Additionally, France has seen an influx of immigrants in recent years, driven by the conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Syria and Lebanon.
Over the past few decades, successive French governments have struggled to transcend the immigrants’ deep-seated animosity, fueled by France’s colonial history. Presidents, including Macron, have undertaken numerous initiatives, such as his visit to Algeria, in an attempt to move beyond the contentious events of the past. However, thus far, their efforts have yielded limited success in achieving reconciliation.
When the longstanding animosity is coupled with aberrant behavior exhibited by government institutions, it reignites the flames of historical grievances. This concerning pattern emerges once again, as exemplified by a recent incident involving the tragic killing of a 17-year-old Algerian boy at the hands of the French police.
Simultaneously, amidst the historical discontent and grievances expressed by immigrants toward policies and behaviors, we witness the emergence of a faction within France known as “White France.” These French citizens vehemently oppose immigration policies and advocate for the implementation of more stringent measures. They predominantly align themselves with right-wing and far-right political parties. Of great concern is the escalating support for extreme right-wing ideologies, as evidenced by the substantial share of votes garnered in the last presidential election, amounting to approximately 47%. In the recent protests, this faction has exerted considerable pressure on the government to declare a state of emergency due to heightened security concerns. However, President Macron has thus far refrained from acquiescing to their demands.
Another significant aspect to consider is the tendency of French security forces and police to exhibit heightened levels of violence when encountering immigrants, particularly Algerians. This behavior can be traced back to the remnants of the colonial era, and more specifically, the brutal clashes that ensued during the Algerian revolution. Reports suggest that the police officer involved in the assault on the 17-year-old boy harbored racist inclinations.
Against this backdrop, the French government finds itself grappling with both economic and security challenges. The aftermath of the war in Ukraine has exacerbated these problems and fueling growing dissatisfaction. These circumstances have provided fertile ground for opposition parties to challenge Macron and his party in the forthcoming elections.
Simultaneously, France not only faces internal turmoil but also encounters unfavorable circumstances within the broader European context. Consequently, external pressure is exerted, further stoking internal tensions. Opposition political parties predominantly align themselves with right-wing and far-right ideologies, alongside associated unions. Additionally, a fraction of the traditional left-wing parties, which have been marginalized in recent years due to the rise of “Macronism,” also contribute to the opposition’s ranks.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the far-right’s influence has gained traction not only in France but also in several other European nations, including Italy, Greece, and even Britain. Macron’s stance on the war in Ukraine and his attempts at engagement with Putin have garnered disapproval from numerous European governments. Consequently, right-wing and left-wing factions in other European countries, leveraging their connections with Macron’s political opponents, seek to instigate domestic opposition and fuel protests. The recent riots in France have received extensive coverage and prominence in European media, particularly within British outlets.
It is important to acknowledge that these observations do not diminish the issue of violent treatment by French security forces and police against protesters. However, there is a lesson here for Macron and other European leaders. In similar circumstances occurring primarily in non-European countries, Europeans often support opposition groups by interfering in those nations’ internal affairs. They advocate for restraint against protesters, respect their freedom of speech, and champion their citizenship rights. Yet, when such incidents occur within their own countries, these leaders forsake their moral high ground and resort to responding with force. Macron should have anticipated such eventualities when he visited opposition leaders of other countries and posed for supportive photographs with them.
By Abolqassem Delfi
Ex-Iran envoy to Paris
Protests engulfing several cities in France, including Lyon, Marseille, and parts of Paris, have witnessed a disturbing surge of violence perpetrated by both protesters and law enforcement. However, such unrest is not an isolated incident within the country. Ever since France relinquished its colonies, particularly the brutal departure from Algeria, it has consistently grappled with protests of this nature. Presently, Macron’s government finds itself caught in the crossfire, torn between the demands and pressure emanating from opposing factions. These conflicting demands encompass the rights of immigrants who, by virtue of their citizenship, are considered French nationals, as well as the grievances voiced by French citizens who oppose the presence of immigrants within the country.
The immigrant population in France comprises individuals mainly from North African countries such as Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, predominantly professing the Islamic faith. Another segment includes people from African nations commonly referred to as Black Africa. Additionally, France has seen an influx of immigrants in recent years, driven by the conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Syria and Lebanon.
Over the past few decades, successive French governments have struggled to transcend the immigrants’ deep-seated animosity, fueled by France’s colonial history. Presidents, including Macron, have undertaken numerous initiatives, such as his visit to Algeria, in an attempt to move beyond the contentious events of the past. However, thus far, their efforts have yielded limited success in achieving reconciliation.
When the longstanding animosity is coupled with aberrant behavior exhibited by government institutions, it reignites the flames of historical grievances. This concerning pattern emerges once again, as exemplified by a recent incident involving the tragic killing of a 17-year-old Algerian boy at the hands of the French police.
Simultaneously, amidst the historical discontent and grievances expressed by immigrants toward policies and behaviors, we witness the emergence of a faction within France known as “White France.” These French citizens vehemently oppose immigration policies and advocate for the implementation of more stringent measures. They predominantly align themselves with right-wing and far-right political parties. Of great concern is the escalating support for extreme right-wing ideologies, as evidenced by the substantial share of votes garnered in the last presidential election, amounting to approximately 47%. In the recent protests, this faction has exerted considerable pressure on the government to declare a state of emergency due to heightened security concerns. However, President Macron has thus far refrained from acquiescing to their demands.
Another significant aspect to consider is the tendency of French security forces and police to exhibit heightened levels of violence when encountering immigrants, particularly Algerians. This behavior can be traced back to the remnants of the colonial era, and more specifically, the brutal clashes that ensued during the Algerian revolution. Reports suggest that the police officer involved in the assault on the 17-year-old boy harbored racist inclinations.
Against this backdrop, the French government finds itself grappling with both economic and security challenges. The aftermath of the war in Ukraine has exacerbated these problems and fueling growing dissatisfaction. These circumstances have provided fertile ground for opposition parties to challenge Macron and his party in the forthcoming elections.
Simultaneously, France not only faces internal turmoil but also encounters unfavorable circumstances within the broader European context. Consequently, external pressure is exerted, further stoking internal tensions. Opposition political parties predominantly align themselves with right-wing and far-right ideologies, alongside associated unions. Additionally, a fraction of the traditional left-wing parties, which have been marginalized in recent years due to the rise of “Macronism,” also contribute to the opposition’s ranks.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the far-right’s influence has gained traction not only in France but also in several other European nations, including Italy, Greece, and even Britain. Macron’s stance on the war in Ukraine and his attempts at engagement with Putin have garnered disapproval from numerous European governments. Consequently, right-wing and left-wing factions in other European countries, leveraging their connections with Macron’s political opponents, seek to instigate domestic opposition and fuel protests. The recent riots in France have received extensive coverage and prominence in European media, particularly within British outlets.
It is important to acknowledge that these observations do not diminish the issue of violent treatment by French security forces and police against protesters. However, there is a lesson here for Macron and other European leaders. In similar circumstances occurring primarily in non-European countries, Europeans often support opposition groups by interfering in those nations’ internal affairs. They advocate for restraint against protesters, respect their freedom of speech, and champion their citizenship rights. Yet, when such incidents occur within their own countries, these leaders forsake their moral high ground and resort to responding with force. Macron should have anticipated such eventualities when he visited opposition leaders of other countries and posed for supportive photographs with them.