“Algeria: A Land of Opportunities” – French Senator Rachid Temal Counters Far-Right Narratives

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

During a Visit to Algiers, Temal Praises Algeria’s Economic Dynamism and Calls for Renewed French-Algerian Cooperation

Algiers, Algeria | February 16th, 2025 — French Senator Rachid Temal has delivered a resounding endorsement of Algeria’s economic progress, directly challenging the distorted image propagated by France’s far-right circles. Following a two-day visit to Algiers, the first vice-president of the French Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces expressed his admiration for Algeria’s industrial transformation and its potential as a key economic partner for France.

Temal’s visit, which took place amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries, was primarily economic in nature. “It was an opportunity for me to assess the country’s economic transformation, the industrial momentum underway, and the prospects for development, as well as to discuss economic relations between France and Algeria,” he stated on his LinkedIn page.

Contrary to the alarmist and often misleading discourse promoted by certain French media outlets aligned with far-right interests, Temal painted a vastly different picture of Algeria. “Yes, while some try to sell us stories of ‘humiliation’ and ‘rupture,’ I have witnessed a reality defined by thriving French businesses—established in partnership with Algerian entrepreneurs—flourishing in a welcoming and expanding market of 48 million people, supported by a highly skilled and competitive workforce,” he wrote.

His remarks implicitly refute the rhetoric of French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has repeatedly accused Algeria of seeking to “humiliate France” over diplomatic disputes, including the failed expulsion of an Algerian influencer. The French judiciary ultimately dismissed this expulsion attempt, reinstating the influencer’s rights and awarding him compensation, further exposing the flaws in the narrative of hostility peddled by some French political figures.

In a statement to TSA, Temal further distanced himself from the divisive discourse promoted by far-right elements and certain media moguls. “France’s foreign policy is not dictated by Retailleau, nor by Bolloré’s media empire,” he asserted, highlighting the growing disconnect between responsible policymakers and extremist voices seeking to sabotage Franco-Algerian relations.

Temal, of Algerian descent, firmly rejected the xenophobic and alarmist narratives of far-right extremists and anti-Algerian lobbyists, whom he accused of lacking any genuine understanding of governance. Instead, he presented a compelling case for Algeria as a strategic economic partner for France. “Far from being a burden, Algeria is a land of opportunities. From construction and infrastructure to agribusiness, French investments are firmly taking root in tangible projects,” he emphasized.

The senator cautioned against allowing opportunistic political sensationalism to derail decades of progress in bilateral relations. “We must not let grandstanding politics or a pursuit of media spectacle sabotage our common future,” he warned.

As a leading member of the Socialist Party, Temal advocated for a return to meaningful dialogue and the full implementation of the Declaration of Algiers for a Renewed Partnership, an agreement designed to foster closer cooperation between the two nations. “I have come to fully appreciate the urgent need for France and Algeria to recommit to this framework,” he said, reaffirming his personal commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. “This is just the beginning—I will continue working toward this rapprochement through various initiatives,” he concluded.

Translated from:

https://www.lexpressiondz.com/nationale/l-algerie-est-une-terre-d-opportunites-390886

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