France’s Le Pen calls for end of dual nationality in Algeria World Cup row

France 24

French far-right National Front (FN) party President Marine Le Pen speaks during a press conference at the FN headquarters. AFP Photo

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said June 30 that riots following Algeria’s World Cup win on June 26 proved that French immigration policy had failed.

Delirious celebrations in France when Algeria qualified for the the second round of the World Cup turned violent in some French cities.

Police said some 74 people had been arrested for rioting and looting. The central city of Lyon was particularly hard-hit, with shops looted, several dozen cars set on fire and firefighters assaulted, according to the interior ministry.

According to Le Pen, whose National Front (FN) party wants to slash immigration from North Africa, Thursday’s trouble demonstrated “the total failure of immigration policies in our country and the refusal expressed by a number of bi-national citizens to assimilate."

She suggested those holding dual nationality should support France in international tournaments and not their country of origin.

"Now we must put a stop to dual nationality," she said.

Algerians make up France's largest immigrant group, with close to two million people, and many hold dual citizenship.

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