As relations between France and Algeria enter a fresh period of strain, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an urgent review of bilateral cooperation, focusing especially on migration policies.
This development comes amid deteriorating consular exchanges and ongoing disputes over the readmission of Algerian nationals.
In a letter to Prime Minister François Bayrou dated August 6, revealed by Le Figaro, Macron instructed the government to utilise all legal mechanisms available, including the recently enacted 2024 immigration law’s “visa-readmission” provision.
This measure permits France to restrict visa issuance to certain profiles — including holders of diplomatic and service passports — and Paris now intends to apply it rigorously to Algeria.
A key point of contention is the planned suspension of a 2013 agreement that granted holders of Algerian official passports easier access to France. Once seen as a symbol of constructive dialogue, the agreement is now under threat due to what French authorities describe as a freeze in cooperation by Algerian consulates in France.
France is simultaneously pressing for a resumption of readmission procedures for expelled Algerian nationals, criticising Algiers for its lack of effective collaboration on this strategic issue. French diplomacy views the impasse as deeply troubling and incompatible with a balanced partnership founded on mutual responsibility.
Fueling tensions further are two high-profile legal cases. Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, a dual national, was sentenced to five years in prison over remarks considered harmful to national cohesion. Meanwhile, French journalist Christophe Gleizes received a seven-year sentence on charges of glorifying terrorism. Paris views these verdicts as attacks on freedom of expression and a worrying message to its citizens.
Despite the tough rhetoric, Macron emphasised the need to maintain dialogue while defending French interests. He tasked Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, noted for his hard stance on migration, to explore pragmatic cooperation with Algerian counterparts but under sustained political pressure.
This recalibration comes as France, grappling with sensitive internal migration challenges, seeks to assert its authority and demand reciprocal respect from external partners. For Paris, restoring a balanced relationship with Algeria requires firm policy without compromising core principles.
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