French dual nationals concerned about the National Rally’s proposal to exclude them from certain positions

The National Rally is threatening to exclude dual nationals from certain sensitive positions.

The National Rally’s proposal to exclude dual-national French people from certain sensitive positions continues to cause controversy, particularly after several statements by National Rally candidates. However, for several days now, the party has been trying to reassure. On the evening of the first round, Marine Le Pen indicated that she did not want to take away any rights from the French. On Tuesday, July 2, on France Inter, she spoke of a “derisory list”about thirty positions but no precise list. For her, it is a “microscopic subject”. Despite this, many dual nationals do not understand why they are being singled out and are worried about what such a measure could lead to.

Franco-Algerian, Karim Amellal is ambassador and interministerial delegate to the Mediterranean. He could be affected by the RN measure and has therefore decided to step out of his duty of reserve: “It seems necessary to me today to speak out because I consider that the danger is imminent.” An imminent danger but for him, nothing new in this proposal: “It’s that old trial of disloyalty, that suspicion of double allegiance. In no way, obviously, do I forget in the service of whom I am. I was born in France, of French culture. But even saying that makes me uncomfortable.”

Above all, Karim Amellal assures that having this dual nationality is a strength in his role. “Dual nationality, especially in a number of positions such as diplomats, military personnel, intelligence agents, is a wealth, he said. Speaking several languages, knowing several cultures, several countries…”

For the National Rally, these restrictions aim to limit the risk of interference. But Karim Amellal sees it rather as a desire to sort out certain French people: “It is not the French-Canadians or the French-Germans who are in question and who would be excluded from a certain number of functions. It is obviously other categories of dual nationals: French-Maghrebis, French-Africans.” Not concerned by the RN project, Pierre-Eugène Burghadt, lawyer at the Paris bar, remains worried: “I am Franco-Argentine, it is an attachment to my grandparents.” He fears that such a measure would open the door to other exceptional regimes: “Afterwards, it will be family allowances, all the interactions of the citizen in his daily life and that brings us directly back to the Vichy program, let’s be very clear.”

Like him, Ghada Hatem, a gynecologist, would not be directly concerned by the National Rally’s project. Of Lebanese origin, she chose to be naturalized French in 2006, after her studies and for her, dual nationality does not mean less French: “I worked for this country. I worked my socks off a lot. I would say that I am perhaps more French. Because I chose. It’s like your friends and your family. Your family falls on you, you didn’t really choose them. On the other hand, you selected your friends carefully.” Everyone hopes that such a measure will be impossible to implement, as it could be contrary to the Constitution and its principles of equality.