A mobilization of Arab countries against the National Rally? With the possible coming to power in France of the RN, some of France's partners are worried, according to Hasni Abidi, political scientist and specialist in the Middle East.
Could Sunday's vote change the good relations between France and most Arab countries? This is in any case the words of Hasni Abidi, Algerian and Swiss political scientist, director of the Center for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World (CERMAM) in Geneva.
According to him, " a real mobilization » of these States is being carried out at the moment, a little over 24 hours before the first round of legislative elections, against the possible takeover of power by the party of Jordan Bardella.
« They fear a change in foreign policy » and would have “ fears about their investments and French support in issues, particularly Iran"
« Other states ", without citing them, " fear a tightening of reception and mobility policies and bilateral relations ».
Among France's key economic issues, Saudi Arabia is the first country to think about. Even recently, on the occasion of Gulf Vision Summit 2024, the port of Fos-Marseille signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Saudi Ports Authority (Flowers), the Saudi Ports Authority. Likewise, hydrogen has become a national issue for both countries. And cooperation has been taking place for months on this subject.
But would the RN coming to power really change the situation? What would these foreign countries be afraid of? Why would they slow down their investments?
Saudi Arabia, to name only this large leading country in the Middle East, is a member of BRICS, of which Russia and China are part. Associated or forge economic ties with an authoritarian country has never bothered the Kingdom. Even with the rise in power of the RN in the polls, France remains very far from this type of governance. Likewise, Arab countries are not the examples we think of when we talk about human rights in general.
In another tweet, in Arabic this time, Hasni Abidi clarifies his thoughts: “ When the leader of the far-right National Rally asserts that the position of President of the Republic is ceremonial and that the next Prime Minister is the one who leads foreign policy, Marine Le Pen wants a radical change in foreign policy based on an approach to change from within and the use of power to undermine it. This is what arouses the fear of French and European elites, who fear a repeat of Orban's experience in Hungary »
The only element that is currently agreed upon would in fact concern foreign policy decisions. With a possible change of strategy, Emmanuel Macron then leaves control to his new Prime Minister.
