Nicolas Sarkozy publicly expressed France’s apologies to the Harkis on Friday during a visit to Nice.
Nicolas Sarkozy made a short visit to Nice on Friday. At the Mediterranean University Center, he acknowledged France’s “injustices” toward the Harkis, a few days before the 50th anniversary of the Evian Accords, which ended the Algerian War in 1962. “The Harkis have the right to this respect, this recognition, and have the right to be told that at the time, the French authorities did not behave well towards those they should have protected,” he explained, adding that the country owed a debt to the 200,000 Muslim auxiliaries recruited by the army. However, no reparations were mentioned by the head of state.
An electoral speech
With almost a month and a half before the first round, the aim of Nicolas Sarkozy’s speech is purely electoral. In 2007, the UMP candidate promised apologies and reparations to the Pieds-Noirs community, which he did not fulfill during his term. Amid crumbling poll numbers, the head of state is trying to win over the repatriates, estimated at 3.2 million voters contested by the UMP and the National Front. “I simply tell them that shouting out their anger only provides temporary relief and that it is necessary to build. And building is not done with the National Front,” said Nicolas Sarkozy.
According to a poll, the outgoing president is at 27% of voting intentions. His Socialist opponent, Francois Hollande, leads with 29%, while Francois Bayrou stands at 11.5%, and Marine Le Pen at 17%.
