French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Sunday that riots following Algeria’s World Cup win on Thursday proved that French immigration policy had failed, reports FRANCE 24.
Delirious celebrations in France when Algeria qualified for the the second round of the World Cup turned violent in some French cities.
Police said some 74 people had been arrested for rioting and looting. The central city of Lyon was particularly hard-hit, with shops looted, several dozen cars set on fire and firefighters assaulted, according to the interior ministry.
According to Le Pen, whose National Front (FN) party wants to slash immigration from North Africa, Thursday’s trouble demonstrated “the total failure of immigration policies in our country and the refusal expressed by a number of bi-national citizens to assimilate."
She suggested those holding dual nationality should support France in international tournaments and not their country of origin.
"Now we must put a stop to dual nationality," she said.
Algerians make up France's largest immigrant group, with close to two million people, and many hold dual citizenship.
"What is clear is there is a not an insignificant number of people that are choosing Algeria over France," Le Pen said. "You should pick: are you Algerian or French, Moroccan or French, but you cannot be both."
Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.