Louis Sarkozy’s Anti-Algeria Remarks Trigger Legal Action by French Lawmakers

Watan-Louis Sarkozy, the son of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, made strongly worded remarks against Algeria, provoking outrage among lawmakers from the left-wing “La France Insoumise” (LFI) party, who warned that “normalizing hate speech is dangerous,” especially since Louis is considering a political career.

LFI lawmakers reported Louis Sarkozy to the Paris public prosecutor over comments he made in the French newspaper Le Monde back in February.

The former president’s son stated:”If I were in power, and if Algeria arrested Boualem Sansal, I would burn the embassy, stop all visas, and raise customs duties by 150%.”

LFI Files Legal Complaint Against Louis Sarkozy

LFI deputies said these statements constitute “a direct, public, and deliberate incitement to commit a crime,” prompting them to invoke Article 40 of the Penal Code, which allows lawmakers to report crimes or misdemeanors to judicial authorities.

🔴 Avec les députés du groupe de la France insoumise, nous saisissons le procureur général près la Cour de cassation sur le fondement de l’article 40 du code de procédure pénale à la suite des propos tenus par Louis Sarkozy dans le journal Le Monde. pic.twitter.com/dfBTobChBt

— Manuel Bompard (@mbompard) April 2, 2025

In a press release, they added:”In a context of rising diplomatic tensions, the risk of such actions being carried out increases, and the danger of normalizing hate speech grows even greater.”

This legal complaint comes at a time when relations between France and Algeria are beginning to ease after a period of intense strain. On Monday, the French and Algerian presidents agreed during a phone call to reinvigorate bilateral ties, a move expected to resume cooperation on migration issues.

Louis Sarkozy’s Political Ambitions Stir Controversy

The initiative aims to ease tensions, especially following repeated disputes — including Algeria’s refusal to accept deported nationals — and the five-year prison sentence handed to author Boualem Sansal, who has been arbitrarily detained since last November.

At 27 years old, Louis Sarkozy is trying to build a name for himself in politics, even if through provocative statements. After spending several years in the United States, Louis has expressed admiration for Donald Trump and even attended his inauguration at the White House in January. He has also shown growing interest in French politics, attending a “Young Republicans” meeting last winter and praising Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.

Reports suggest he’s held extensive talks with Laurent Wauquiez, the head of the conservative Republican Party’s parliamentary bloc, and with Culture Minister Rachida Dati, a close associate of his parents.

In a book co-authored with his mother in 2019, Louis Sarkozy revealed that he “doesn’t see his father often” but has “always admired him.” Nonetheless, he appeared alongside him at the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral last December.