The leader of French party “Les Républicains” (LR), Éric Ciotti, on Sunday said that the “re-establishment of healthy and solid ties with Morocco is a must.”
Morocco is a strategic partner and “historic friend,” which deserves “special attention” and a sincere commitment to resolving differences and “building a prosperous common future”, Ciotti told Turkish state broadcaster TRT following the announcement of preliminary results of the first round of France’s snap parliamentary elections.
He also argued that a victory of his coalition with the far-right Rassemblement National (or National Rally) (RN) in the elections would be a “decisive step” towards achieving this goal, promising to implement policies aimed at strengthening bilateral ties on the economic, cultural, and security fronts.
Ciotti’s statement could have a significant impact on undecided voters, particularly those attached to relations between Rabat and Paris.
By advocating a policy of rapprochement with Morocco, Ciotti is seeking to reassure and mobilize a section of the electorate that favors values of cooperation and mutual respect between nations.
In May 2023 during a visit to Morocco, the pro-Morocco politician promised to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara if elected president of France. “Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara is unquestionable,” he said then.
Although the official results of the first round of parliamentary elections have not yet been released, Ciotti now leads in the first constituency of Alpes-Maritimes with over 41% of the vote.
In his first statement just after 8 p.m. local time on Sunday, he said that victory was “in sight” in many crucial constituencies, including Nice’s first, third, and fifth districts.
“Tonight, success is within reach in these constituencies and will send Jordan Bardella to Matignon,” he said. “The threat from the far left is more real than ever,” he declared, urging members of his party to join his coalition with the RN.
The LR head has already allied with Marine Le Pen’s far-right RN, while the left has created the New Popular Front.
Over the weekend, the NR had a historic win in the first round of France’s snap parliamentary elections receiving 33% of the vote along with its allies, France’s interior ministry announced today. The leftwing alliance garnered only 28%, and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists only 20%.
The result was a major loss for Macron, who had called the early election after the RN had defeated his ticket in the European Parliament elections last month.
Leaders of both the leftwing New Popular Front and Macron’s centrist coalition stated on Sunday night that they would withdraw their candidates from districts if another candidate is better positioned to defeat the RN in next Sunday’s runoff.