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Why France’s far right admires Morocco and Spain’s far right fears it
Nostalgia plays a significant role in shaping the far-right’s perspectives on Morocco, yet the sentiment diverges sharply between France and Spain. Nationalist, populist, and identitarian movements in both countries view Morocco through contrasting historical and geopolitical lenses.
The French far right’s admiration
In France, far-right parties such as Marine Le Pen’s National Rally portray Morocco and its monarchy as symbols of stability, tradition, and authority. Morocco represents a lasting monarchical order that embodies loyalty and continuity, qualities the French far right feels are missing in their republican institutions. This admiration is rooted in the colonial protectorate period, which conservatives remember as a time of diplomatic achievement and cooperative governance, in stark contrast with the painful legacy of the Algerian War of Independence.
The French far right regards Morocco as a “civilized Muslim kingdom” where modernity coexists with religion under strong royal leadership. His Majesty King Mohammed VI is admired as a “strong man” controlling migration flows and securing the southern border of Europe. Morocco’s monarchy-based governance serves as a model of stability and disciplined nationalism that French conservatives idealize.
The Spanish far right’s fear
Conversely, Spain’s far-right movement, led by VOX, views Morocco as a strategic rival and source of anxiety, deeply influenced by historical memory. The legacy of al-Andalus frames Morocco as the “other,” descending from medieval Muslim rulers. This enduring Reconquista mythology portrays Morocco as a persistent challenge to Spanish sovereignty, particularly regarding Ceuta, Melilla, and Sahara.
Migration from Morocco to Spain is often depicted by Spain’s far right as an “invasion,” echoing fears of historical conquest. Combined with territorial resentments and identity politics, Morocco is cast as a cunning competitor leveraging migration for geopolitical advantage. Spain’s past colonial conflicts and abrupt decolonization exacerbate this fear, creating a sense of humiliation over Morocco’s diplomatic achievements.
Divergent historical memories shape opposing views
The contrast stems from each country’s imperial past. France recalls Morocco as a successful example of controlled modernization and partnership, while Spain remembers loss, humiliation, and unresolved colonial disputes. For the French far right, Morocco embodies order and tradition; for the Spanish far right, it represents ongoing challenges to identity and security.
Shared obsession with migration
Despite differing perspectives, both far-right movements focus intensely on migration. France sees a strong Morocco as a buffer controlling migration into Europe. Spain views Morocco’s border management as leverage rather than a partnership. In both cases, migration is framed more as a threat than as a complex social, economic, and historical phenomenon.
Morocco’s monarchy functions as a mirror for Europe’s far right, reflecting their fears and aspirations. Admired in Paris for stability and tradition, yet feared in Madrid as a reminder of lost empire and unresolved rivalry, Morocco embodies the intricate interplay of history, identity, and geopolitics at Europe’s southern edge. This dual perception underscores the psychological and geopolitical tensions along the Strait of Gibraltar, revealing deeper European anxieties about migration, sovereignty, and memory.
