French Interior Minister Faces Racist Attacks Over Algerian Heritage

In a statement to franceinfo on Friday, Gérald Darmanin says he has been receiving "periodically, for several weeks, on social networks or by letter" messages with racist connotations. He claims that citizens are addressing him by his second name, Moussa, which was given to him in tribute to his Algerian grandfather. According to him, this would be an action by "people no doubt close to the Rassemblement national candidate" in the early legislative elections - the first round of which is this Sunday - in the 10th constituency of the North where he is running.

For Darmanin, "it is extremely touching for someone who loves his country." "I understand the wound that this can cause," he assures, thus alluding to the French journalists Mohamed Bouhafsi, Karim Rissouli and Nassira El Moaddem who have declared having received racist and insulting messages, two of which were similar. "This release of racist speech is extremely worrying," concludes the minister.