Conference sparks debate

A conference titled France remigration, let's open the debate is scheduled for October 31, 2026, at the Maison des arts du Plessis-Robinson, a cultural center in the Paris region. The event has become a focal point of controversy due to its planned content and participants.

Participants include far-right figures

The conference is organized by the think tank Polémia and will bring together over 30 representatives from far-right parties in Europe and beyond, including Germany, Romania, Poland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Flanders, Spain, Peru, and the United States. The event aims to discuss "the historical, logistical, and moral aspects of remigration in Europe and France" ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Left-wing groups oppose the event

Left-wing political parties, including the Greens, Insoumis, Socialists, and Communists, have criticized the conference, calling it xenophobic and accusing it of promoting a political project that excludes certain populations. They argue the event is inappropriate for a cultural venue that aims to promote inclusivity and access to culture for all.

City and officials respond

The city of Plessis-Robinson, which rented the Maison des arts for 4,500 euros, has stated it supports freedom of expression and trusts the state services to manage the situation. The mayor, Philippe Pemezec of Les Républicains, has not commented on the event, and the prefecture has been informed and is currently reviewing the situation.

Notable figures expected to attend

The event is expected to feature prominent figures from the far-right identity movement, including Éric Zemmour, leader of Reconquête!, and Stéphane Ravier, a former senator under investigation. The discussions will be moderated by journalists linked to reactionary and neo-Nazi media outlets.

Think tank’s background and controversy

Polémia, the think tank behind the event, was founded in 2002 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou, a former European frontist deputy and associate of Jean-Marie Le Pen. The group has previously organized events challenging the scientific consensus on climate change and has promoted the concept of "national preference."

Event timing criticized

The controversy has intensified after a recent racist attack in the Yvelines that killed Pengo Bossio Wangi. Left-wing officials argue that holding the conference just days after the attack is insensitive and highlights the growing normalization of racist and xenophobic rhetoric in public discourse.