Moroccan-French relations under Macron's re-election

The newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron has been known “to continue rather than to innovate” in terms of foreign policy, leading to questions over what Moroccan-French relations will look like under his re-election.

In France, foreign policy is central to national identity. Macron does not break with the past but sees his approach as being in line with historical tradition.

Despite some political tensions, Morocco and France have been enjoying strong ties. In 2019, Paris described Morocco as being “a great country and a friend of France,” as well as “a crucial partner of the European Union.”

France also remains one of Morocco’s leading economic partners and the leading foreign investor in the country.

“Le Pen’s victory would have changed France and Europe, but after Macron’s re-election, I don’t think that he would make changes in terms of France’s foreign policy,” said international relations expert, Nouredine Hamid, in a statement to Hespress English.

Asked about where Macron stands regarding Western Sahara, Noureddine Hamid said the president “sees Morocco’s Autonomy Plan is a serious and credible solution” to the conflict, but this does not mean that “France would eventually not follow US steps and recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory.”

Hamid argued Macron’s election would have “positive political impacts on Moroccan-French relations, and both countries will further cooperate in counter-terrorism and immigration-related issues,” noting “he dealt cautiously with Morocco in his previous term, but he should make additional efforts to strengthen France’s relations with the Kingdom.

Speaking about France’s decision to reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccans, the expert added that “Macron would not change anything related to this issue, especially because it also concerns Algerian and Tunisian nationals.”

Macron is the first French president to win re-election in two decades since Jacques Chirac in 2002, by a comfortable margin, with some 58.5 percent of the electorate backing him versus 41.5 percent for Le Pen.

He promised to “work for everyone” and sees his program as straddling both left and right.