Politician Éric Zemmour, a former candidate in the French presidential elections, posted a composite video on his X account of him dancing to the song "I Won't Leave," which has recently gained popularity in France. This song has become a prominent expression of far-right ideas during the legislative elections, calling for the expulsion of immigrants in a racist manner, provoking widespread condemnation. French media reported that the song was created using artificial intelligence but has turned into an "icon" of far-right propaganda in France ahead of the legislative elections. It is based on phrases shouted by an immigrant with Maghrebian features as he was being prepared for deportation by French police, while he attempted to resist and repeatedly exclaimed, "I won't leave."
The lyrics of the song are filled with racist phrases primarily directed at Arabic-speaking immigrants, echoing a well-known slogan among French far-right groups that tells migrants France is their land and that "foreigners" are the ones who should leave. It also references the victory of the National Rally party, representing the far-right, in the elections held last Sunday. The song opens with the lines, "I won't leave, if you're going to leave, sooner than you think. We've given you enough, and now you can leave happily and don’t come back." In reference to the National Rally's leader Jordan Bardella, the song adds, "When Bardella passes by, you'll go back to your country, you'll wear your ‘jalabiya’, and you'll be able to pray all day and irritate us from there."
The song utilizes stereotypes promoted by the far-right about women, with a line stating, "You'll leave in those clothes, with your ‘Fatima’, social aid is over and the boat isn't waiting; believe me, you'll leave." It ignores the fact that Bardella, leader of the National Rally, also has migrant roots, both Italian and Algerian, similar to Zemmour, who was born to parents of Algerian Jewish descent. Just three days ago, Zemmour posted a clip of himself dancing to the song, which garnered 4.5 million views on the X platform.
Although the identity of the entity that first published the song is unknown, it originated from a TikTok account that produces AI-generated content, yet far-right supporters circulated it widely, prompting the organization "SOS Racisme" to file a complaint for incitement to hatred. Media sources indicated that the song reached prominent figures within the party, where a right-wing activist named Mila shared the song on her accounts, and Zemmour danced to it in a video on X. This situation sparked significant anger among French activists, who commented that it illustrates the extent to which the far-right has reached, boldly showcasing its racism without shame.
Journalist Claude Asklovitch commented on Zemmour on X, saying, "A quarter of a century ago, I sometimes had lunch with this colleague. His views on women and foreigners were just folklore for him... But the fact that he's enjoying this disgrace in this manner still puzzles me." Rafael Grably, deputy editor of "BFM TV," highlighted the dangerous nature of the song, writing on his account, "Just to remind you, the lyrics of this song are extremely blatant racism." A user on X commented, "Racists roam freely without restraint, amazing, they no longer have any boundaries or dignity."
Zemmour's party argues that immigrants are the root of his country's problems and promises to expel foreigners and Muslims from France should he ascend to the presidency. Due to his ongoing anti-immigrant statements, a Paris appellate court in February imposed a 15,000-euro fine on Zemmour for inciting discrimination, hatred, and racism. The French judiciary also imposed a monetary fine on Zemmour for exceeding "the permissible limits of freedom of expression" in a speech against Islam and immigrants during a political meeting in 2019. He had described wearing the hijab as "an occupying army's uniform" and referred to immigrants as "colonizers." The appellate court ruled that Zemmour's statements were characterized by "excess, disdain, and intended to incite fear." The far-right politician was ordered to pay 1,000 euros in damages and 2,000 euros as procedural costs to four anti-racism associations. The public prosecutor's office and anti-racism organizations formed a body before the Court of Cassation that ordered, in February 2023, a new trial for Zemmour.
Zemmour's celebration came just days before the results of the first round of the French legislative elections, which were led by the far-right, revealing a significant divide in French society. Joy erupted in the far-right stronghold of Hénin-Beaumont, while fears reigned in other areas, such as Marseille, the country's second-largest city and a hub for immigration, where many residents fear the far-right could rise to power. A far-right supporter commented on the National Rally's leading position in the first round of the legislative elections with the phrase "We want France!" However, the echoes of this victory reflected a division in the country.
The media landscape is similarly revealing; many daily news stories reflect far-right inclinations. France is experiencing visible political and media hatred, led by channels like CNews, owned by right-wing businessman Vincent Bolloré, and BFM TV, owned by businessman Patrick Drahi. Programs on these channels, particularly, and in the French media landscape in general, heavily draw upon viewership from Islamophobic broadcasting. In France, unlike in other Western countries, the debate over the right to express "Islamophobia" has long been underway, with many arguing that it is not considered a form of racial discrimination. Moreover, most politicians avoid using the term "Islamophobia," replacing it with phrases like "hatred against Muslims" or "racism against Muslims." Today in France, Muslims and their sympathizers are portrayed as dangerous to freedom of expression, as they seek to prevent any discussion regarding their religion, leading the majority in public political and media opinion to view "Islamophobia" merely as an attempt to impose religious censorship on free ideas.