During a visit to Lavelanet hospital in Ariège, Emmanuel Macron criticized France's administrative system for foreign doctors and attacked candidates using Algeria as a campaign theme. He called 'madmen' those wanting to 'fall out with Algeria'. Bruno Retailleau, Les Républicains president, denounced it as a 'false pretext'.
On April 27, 2026, Emmanuel Macron visited the recently rebuilt hospital in Lavelanet, Ariège. During an exchange with about 15 doctors raising staff shortages, the president expressed frustration over hurdles for 'Padhue'—doctors qualified outside the European Union.
'Has it been simplified? It's still a mess,' Macron noted, pointing out that only 30 percent pass the required exam. 'It drives me crazy. It's really the madness of the French system. Padhue are remarkable people who work, practice medicine, they are in the hospital…,' he added.
One year before the 2027 presidential election, Macron seized the opportunity to criticize candidates making Algeria an electoral theme, calling them 'madmen' who want to 'fall out with Algeria'.
Bruno Retailleau, Les Républicains president and presidential candidate, responded in a statement. 'Emmanuel Macron attacked those like me who advocate firmness with Algeria, using administrative burdens on foreign doctors as a pretext,' he said. 'With the Algerian regime, a policy of good sentiments is doomed to failure,' he added.
