Macron continues to purge French state of Moroccan Makhzen’s influence
By: Hana Saada
ALGIERS– French President Emmanuel Macron seems determined to cut ties between the French state and nip the influence of the Moroccan Makhzen from the bud.
Ever since the Pegasus spy scandal, in which the Moroccan regime was implicated in telephone spying on senior French officials, Macron has launched a campaign to eliminate Moroccan influence in French state institutions.
According to Algerie Focus, the latest blow from Paris is the prevention of the former deputy of Moroccan origin, AbdelMadjid Alkarab, from standing in the partial legislative elections. The president’s party, Renaissance, preferred to push for another candidate, Caroline Travers, whom the Moroccan lobby in France considers hostile to Moroccan interests because of her proximity to the Franco-Algerian senator Leila Aishi, known for her positions defending the immigrants’ rights.
Macron’s party decision is a clear signal that Moroccan influence in French state institutions is on the wane. This trend is part of Macron’s campaign to cut past practices in relations with the Moroccan Makhzen regime, and it will lead to depriving Moroccan influence of a voice that is supposed to defend the interests of the people.
The Moroccan regime accuses circles close to Macron and his party, Renaissance, of being behind the sanctions and decisions taken by the European Parliament against the Moroccan regime, which is still awaiting further sanctions after the completion of the investigation of the Pegasus spy scandal, as well as the corruption scandals within the European Parliament.
Will France continue to purge the French state of Moroccan Makhzen influence, or will relations between France and Morocco deteriorate further? Only the future will tell us.
