French Expats in Morocco Feel Overlooked in Presidential Election Campaign

In Morocco as elsewhere, the campaign for the presidential election is being closely followed by the French abroad (FDE), even if they are not a priority in the social program of the various candidates. For M’jid El Guerrab, who supports the candidacy of outgoing President Emmanuel Macron, the latter "never ceases to listen, discuss and act in the interest of all our fellow citizens wherever they are", reports leseco.ma.

For him, the various actions carried out on the ground in different areas prove that "Emmanuel Macron’s candidacy is the only credible one, taking into account the particularities of the French abroad. Moreover, Emmanuel Macron has made a point of addressing all the French abroad in an address specifically intended for them." If Emmanuel Macron is elected for the next five years, the French and French residing in Africa will be fully taken into account in his management policy, he stressed, specifying that Emmanuel Macron re-election committees (CREM) have been set up everywhere abroad to support the candidacy of the President of the Republic.

When asked whether the French abroad really represent a real stake for this electoral appointment? M’jid El Guerrab confides that they represent about 1.6 million registered voters on the consular electoral roll, out of about 3.5 million French living abroad. "My constituency, the 9th, is that of the French established in the Maghreb and West Africa, grouping more than 100,000 registered voters able to vote. In this sense, expatriates and dual nationals must be considered as a subject of national interest rather than an electoral issue; they are a force to be mobilized," he specified.

Like all the French abroad, those in Morocco are expecting a lot from this election. "First of all, the French in Morocco solicit me very frequently regarding the education of their children. The 40 French schools in Morocco welcome more than 55,000 students. During each of my trips, I was able to visit these many schools and appreciate the quality of the education provided there and all the projects developed there."

He also stressed that the cooperation and partnerships developed between France and Morocco have been strengthened over the past five years. "The 1st beneficiary country of our Official Development Assistance is Morocco. I recently met Mr. Rezouaghi who told me how lively our cooperation is one of the most in the world! It must continue to be developed within the framework of the New Development Model."

As for the unblocking of the "crisis" of visas, M’jid El Guerrab believes that it will not be long in coming. "France is awaiting the resumption of cooperation in terms of illegal immigration, in particular the return of delinquent "illegals". It is ready to resume the visa machine which, since last year, has been completely restructured into two large platforms in Casablanca and Rabat. The technical issues, which were at the origin of the blockage, are about to be lifted according to the feedback I have. This is good news," the deputy rejoices.