After years of escalation and hard-line stances during which he made attacking Algeria one of the most prominent headlines of his political presence, French right-wing candidate Bruno Rutayo adopted a completely different speech, declaring that normalizing relations between the two countries had become more than necessary.
In a remarkable transformation that raises many question marks, and a position that can be read as an admission that the policy of confrontation is no longer useful, the man who used to make harsh statements towards Algeria came out to speak in the language of mutual interests and the necessity of overcoming differences related to historical memory.
During his hosting, on Tuesday, in “Vous President” program On BFMTV, Rotayo said that, if he arrives at the Elysee Palace, he will work to remove French-Algerian relations from the situation they reached during the era of Emmanuel Macron, considering that the time has come to move away from an approach based on memory and emotional reactions.
He added: “I believe that relations between the two countries must be normalized, and to get out of this record linked to memory, to say that each party has its own interests and search for a basis for understanding.”
It is noteworthy that Rotayo was one of the most ardent opponents of the rapprochement path that French President Emmanuel Macron tried to establish with Algeria, especially in the issue of historical memory, as he He accused him of bringing insult to France Because of his continued “submission” to Algeria during the worsening crisis.
He also defended a more stringent approach in dealing with controversial issues, and raised the demand to cancel the migration agreement signed in 1968 between the two countries, considering that it grants Algerians legal privileges that should be reviewed.
He has long called for tougher measures against Algeria, both during his tenure as Interior Ministry and in his positions on bilateral relations. He threatened to resign if the “iron fist” option was not adopted in dealing with Algeria.
After his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, it was decided to withdraw the crisis file from his hands and assign it to the Elysee Palace and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but he did not carry out his threat, despite being stripped of his management of the file.
His speech was not limited to demanding a change in French policies towards Algeria, but he had previously made sharp statements about them, stressing that he would not allow any country to insult France, “even Algeria.”
Between yesterday’s speech, which was dominated by the language of threats and escalation, and today’s speech, which now focuses on interests and understanding, this shift in positions emerges in conjunction with France’s preparations for decisive presidential elections in 2027.
