RN’s Hélène Laporte Heads France-Morocco Group Despite Past Anti-Trade Stance

Doha – Rassemblement National (RN) deputy Hélène Laporte has been appointed as president of the France-Morocco parliamentary friendship group at the French National Assembly, despite her previous criticism of Franco-Moroccan trade agreements.

The RN first secured the group’s presidency on January 13 through a rotating selection method known as “tourniquet,” which allows parliamentary groups to choose disputed presidencies by order of size.

After weeks of internal deliberations, Laporte’s leadership was officially confirmed on January 29.

The far-right party, which holds 124 seats out of 577 in the National Assembly, making it France’s largest opposition group, immediately selected the Morocco group when given first choice among disputed presidencies.

“Very honored to have been named President of the France-Morocco friendship group at the National Assembly and to participate in strengthening our ties with members of the Moroccan House of Representatives,” Laporte announced on X.

However, her appointment has drawn critical attention due to her previous stance on Franco-Moroccan trade relations.

During President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Morocco in October 2024, Laporte publicly called for terminating the trade agreement that exempts Moroccan tomatoes from customs duties, describing it as “unfair competition” for French farmers.

In a direct appeal to Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard on X, Laporte had written: “Take advantage of your visit to Morocco with Mr. Macron to end the trade agreement aimed at exempting Moroccan tomatoes from customs duties, which has placed our farmers in an unbearable situation of unfair competition since 2012!”

Morocco a ‘major’ ally and ‘important’ friend

The parliamentary friendship group now comprises 59 deputies, including 19 from RN.

When the party first secured the group’s presidency in mid-January, Karim Ben Cheikh, deputy for the 9th constituency of French citizens abroad, immediately announced his refusal to participate, citing his opposition to RN’s political stance.

“By principle, due to the xenophobic ideas defended by this party that I have always fought against, out of respect for Moroccans in France and their families, I do not intend to sit in a group presided by the far-right,” Ben Cheikh stated.

The appointment comes also at a significant moment in French-Moroccan relations. France officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara in July 2024, a position President Macron reaffirmed during his October visit.

According to RN leadership, Morocco represents a “major country for diplomacy and economic development” and an “important actor in the fight against immigration,” with a “strong diaspora” presence in France.

Laporte, who serves on the National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Commission and represents the 2nd constituency of Lot-et-Garonne, will lead the group as France and Morocco continue to deepen their bilateral ties, particularly in economic and strategic domains.