France: Eric Ciotti travels to Morocco for his first visit abroad

Eric Ciotti, president of the party Les Républicains travels to Morocco on May 4, 2023. (Illustrative image) © KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP

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Morocco welcomes from Thursday, May 4 and for two days a delegation of elected Republicans led by their boss Eric Ciotti. This is the party's president's first trip abroad since he was elected, at a time when relations between France and Morocco are at an all-time low.

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This first visit outside the borders of the new boss of the LR does indeed look like a diplomatic counter-offensive. Because relations between Emmanuel Macron and Mohammed VI have continued to deteriorate in recent months, to the point that the Elysee seems to have a hard time organizing a visit of President Macron to Morocco, several times envisaged but no date has ever been announced.

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We are given a very warm welcome ", promises a bit provocative a member of the delegation of the Republicans. A trip supposed to reaffirm "the attachment of our political family to the bonds of friendship that unite our two countries," wrote the leadership of the party in a statement. Translation of a close friend of Eric Ciotti: "We will do the work that Emmanuel Macron does not do".

>> Read also: F inof the mission of the ambassador in France amid diplomatic tensions

A counter-offensive

To facilitate exchanges, the boss of the LR takes with him the former keeper of the Seals of Nicolas Sarkozy, Rachida Dati. Of Moroccan father, the current mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, maintains very close ties with the kingdom.

This two-day visit will also be an opportunity to talk about the very thorny issue of immigration. The Republicans are preparing a bill on the issue after the postponement of the government's text to the autumn for lack of majority, announced by Elisabeth Borne a few days ago. Another story of counter-offensive.

>> READ ALSO: France: the boss of the LR, Eric Ciotti, tries to make his mark after the fiasco of pensions

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  • France
  • Morocco
  • Éric Ciotti