French authorities block Algerian polemicist Mehdi Ghezzar’s naturalization request

French authorities froze the naturalization request of Algerian polemicist Mehdi Ghezzar, known for his virulent positions against France and his numerous media outbursts. A former campaign director for Abdelmadjid Tebboune in the Algerian presidential election, Ghezzar is a staunch defender of the Algerian regime but also a feared adversary of countries seen as opponents of this regime, especially France, Morocco, and Israel.

Ghezzar, who became known for his fiery interventions on the AL24 News channel, where he regularly criticizes French policies, did not hesitate to harshly criticize the country that, paradoxically, offered him the possibility of becoming a citizen. His naturalization request, filed in 2023, was recently blocked by the French Ministry of the Interior, according to information confirmed by sources close to the case.

The blocking of his request follows an investigation launched by the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) into Ghezzar’s alleged links to the Tebboune regime. In particular, French authorities are interested in his supposed role in the covert financing of Tebboune’s reelection campaign, especially in France, where Ghezzar owns several businesses. French tax authorities are also investigating his economic activities, further complicating the polemicist’s situation.

French authorities made this decision amidst growing diplomatic tensions with Algeria, particularly after Ghezzar’s recent statements about Morocco, which he called the “Thailand of Africa,” due to its alleged involvement in drug trafficking, prostitution, and other illegal activities. These particularly hateful remarks have earned Ghezzar widespread criticism but have also strengthened his position with the Algerian authorities, who see him as a strong defender of their political line.

The case of Mehdi Ghezzar raises many questions about how naturalization requests are handled in France, especially when they involve individuals whose speeches and actions are perceived as antagonistic to French values. As investigations continue, the polemicist finds himself at a crossroads, torn between his ambitions for French citizenship and his commitments to the Algerian regime.