French Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau has promised a "gradual response" following Algeria's rejection of a list submitted by France containing approximately 60 individuals slated for expulsion. This occurred on March 17, 2025, with Retailleau expressing his disappointment via social media, stating, "I regret Algeria refuses to apply international law. A gradual response will be initiated as decided by the interministerial committee under the presidency of the Prime Minister."
The situation escalated significantly at the end of February 2025 when Prime Minister François Bayrou threatened to "denounce" the 1968 agreement, which confers special status to Algerians living in France concerning movement, residence, and employment. Bayrou set a timeline of six weeks for Algeria to repatriate its nationals living irregularly within French territory, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions.
Conversely, it seemed French President Emmanuel Macron preferred not to escalate the situation. Earlier this month, he proclaimed his support for renegotiation of the 1968 agreement rather than outright denunciation. Macron acknowledged during remarks made in Porto, Portugal, "Relations between Algiers and Paris should not be the subject of political games," reflecting his desire to stabilize the relationship with Algeria.
Algerian officials reacted swiftly to the actions proposed by French authorities. An hour before the breaking of the fast during Ramadan, the Algerian Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement asserting, "Our problem is with the right, not with France," emphasizing the local perceptions of France's right-wing political maneuvers.
Following the Algerian rejection of the expulsion list, Retailleau reiterated his commitment to enforcing what he termed as obligatory measures. The French minister revealed on French radio network France Inter the implementation of these actions, declaring, "Since the Algerians do not respect the 1994 agreement on movement, I announce the suspension of the 2007 visa exemption agreements for holders of diplomatic passports.” This suspension is seen as part of Retailleau's broader strategy to exercise pressure on Algeria as he positions himself for the presidency of the Les Républicains party.
The political intrigue surrounding this issue has raised eyebrows not only within the Franco-Algerian relations sphere but has also been met with ridicule among the Algerian public. On the sunny streets of Algiers, locals were overheard sharing laughter over the perceived theatrics of the French government, including commentary on the motivations behind Retailleau's stern stance and the timing of these diplomatic moves. The atmosphere, filled with mint tea and honey pastries, exemplified the local sentiment surrounding the strained relations between the two nations.
Retailleau's remarks and subsequent actions have significant diplomatic repercussions as they fuel existing tensions between the two governments. The French right and far right have leveraged this situation to their advantage, igniting discussions around the historical ties between the countries, as well as the legacies of colonialism and migration policy.
Meanwhile, Macron's administration walks a tightrope between maintaining order domestically, appeasing nationalist sentiments, and fostering positive diplomatic relations with Algeria. His previous acknowledgment of Algeria’s historical importance and his discussions with President Abdelmajid Tebboune on modernizing their treaty do reflect the complexity of the situation.
Both countries appear at a crossroads, with each government wrestling with national interests, historical grievances, and the volatile nature of current politics. French citizens, particularly within the political opposition, are pressuring Macron to take more definitive action against what they perceive as Algeria's disregard for agreements. This provocative interplay between political opportunism and the pressing need for stable relations reveals the precarious balance leaders must maintain on both sides of the Mediterranean.
The outcome of this diplomatic standoff remains uncertain. The six-week timeline set by Bayrou looms large, compelling both parties to navigate their positions carefully. Amidst local and international scrutiny, one must ponder whether continued escalations will yield lasting solutions or deepen divisions.
