French companies see Saudi Arabia as gateway to wider regional growth
By Adele Rutherford ·
When I read the reporting on this new venture—the promise of three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise—I didn’t see a global destination; I saw another instance of profound procedural overreach.
The Spectacle of Six Billion Euros Near Paris
When I read the reporting on this new venture—the promise of three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise—I didn’t see a global destination; I saw another instance of profound procedural overreach. We are told that France and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding for an investment of €6 billion, spearheaded by Qiddiya, a subsidiary of the sovereign wealth fund. The details, as reported by RFI English, confirm this massive deal was brokered during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to President Macron. This is not merely economic development; it is a demonstration of how much power can be wielded when decisions are made in Riyadh and announced in Paris, bypassing the local governance structures they purport to serve.
From Manga Dreams to National Policy
The facts themselves paint a picture of sheer scale: 22,000 direct jobs expected, one park themed around Japanese manga animation—a detail highlighted by franceinfo and confirmed by Asharq Al-Awsat. The project is framed as an "unprecedented announcement" by President Macron. But look closely at the mechanism. This colossal undertaking was reportedly conceived from a discussion between the two leaders in December 2024, triggered by what one source noted was a shared passion for manga. That’s the kind of origin story that should make us pause and ask: who actually owns this process? The reports show the project is being driven top-down, without visible consultation with the inhabitants or even the municipal representatives whose land will be used.
When Capital Becomes Policy
This brings me to a historical parallel that cannot be ignored. We are witnessing the injection of massive external capital into a developed region—a mechanism that echoes the European Recovery Program, or Marshall Plan. The shared element is clear: an immense infusion of foreign funds designed not just to build rides, but to stabilize and stimulate economic growth in specific sectors, often at the expense of local autonomy. To argue this is simply "good business" ignores foundational political reality. The most capable advocate for this project would point to job creation and global tourism dollars; they would claim only such massive capital can modernize an area like Cergy-Pontoise. But that argument fails because it mistakes economic necessity for democratic legitimacy.
The history of power shows us any arrangement built on external money, especially when implemented without local consent, is temporary utility. It is not self-sustaining governance; it is patronage. The process itself—the sidelining of local consultation in favor of high-level political spectacle—is what matters here.
What we are seeing is the modern iteration of statecraft that treats democratic procedure as an optional amenity. This deal does not represent a partnership with France's people; it represents a transaction between two powerful national capitals, using culture and commerce to justify monumental authority transfer. The true cost will never be measured in Euros or jobs, but in the erosion of local self-determination.