Frances Foreign Policy: Morocco Wins, Algeria Loses

The French public opinion has spoken. As the French presidential election approaches, the five-year Toluna-Harris Interactive barometer for the MGH Partners cabinet, conducted from May 5 to 11, 2026, delivers a decisive verdict on the perception of Maghreb countries.

In a heavy international context marked by a clear shift towards security in polls, Morocco emerges as the number one African ally of the French, while Algeria plunges into a deep image crisis, now seen as a threat by a large part of the population.

Morocco, the stability exception that seduces Paris
Nearly 7 out of 10 French citizens now show a general distrust towards the outside world, making the Kingdom a notable exception. A staggering 72% of French people view maintaining privileged relations with Rabat positively, with 19% even describing this bond as a “very good thing.”

The study titled “French People and France’s Foreign Policy” reveals an even more revealing fact: Morocco has surged by 13 points in five years in terms of professional and strategic alliances. Currently, 40% of respondents formally consider it an ally of France, placing the Kingdom at the forefront of reliable partners, surpassing the United States significantly.

This statistical honeymoon transcends age groups, with 64% of 18-24-year-olds supporting it and climbing to 77% among seniors aged 65 and above.

The pillars of structural trust
This vote of confidence is not merely emotional; it is based on concrete criteria. The French electorate praises the effectiveness of military and police cooperation agreements with Rabat, seen as an essential bulwark against terrorism and the management of irregular migration flows.

Economically, with over 800 French companies present in the Kingdom, Morocco solidifies its position as France’s top commercial partner in Africa, notably in automotive, aeronautics, and renewable energy sectors.

Moreover, amid regional instability in the Sahel and Maghreb, Rabat’s role as a mediator in regional crises strongly reassures French observers. This favorable climate coincides with an upcoming state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, aimed at strengthening the Paris-Rabat axis.

The sharp decline in Algerian ties
The contrast with the Eastern neighbor is stark. The image of Algeria among French citizens has significantly deteriorated. Barely half of the respondents (51%) believe that France should maintain privileged relations with Algiers, with 45% describing this relationship as “bad” or even “very bad.”

The geopolitical divide deepens definitively. Only 17% of French people view Algeria as an ally, while 45% directly perceive it as a threat to the country. The survey categorizes the Algerian government among the nations instigating distrust, alongside China and Israel, just behind the major threats such as Russia and Iran.

Reconfiguration of alliances in Africa
This Toluna-Harris Interactive survey highlights a broader phenomenon of erosion in French positions among its historical sub-Saharan partners. Support for privileged relations is markedly declining across the continent, with Ivory Coast losing 8 points, Senegal dropping 9 points, and Mali plummeting to 50%.

Amidst this overall tightening, Morocco consolidates its role as a pivotal partner, capable of building an equal-to-equal relationship, driven by the convergence of long-term economic and geostrategic interests.