Algeria targeted as french far-right intensifies political push

The French hard right and far-right have renewed their attacks on Algeria amid an ongoing diplomatic crisis nearing its first anniversary, the Algeria’s TSA reported on July 23rd.

Beyond disputes over visas, expulsions (OQTFs), and passports, the renegotiation of the Algeria-EU association agreement has become a fresh point of contention. This revival of anti-Algerian rhetoric coincides with rising political tensions in France ahead of the 2027 presidential election, where Algeria remains a divisive electoral issue.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, known by his tough stance on Algeria that helped him secure the presidency of the Republican party last May, has recently seen his poll numbers decline.

In an interview on July 18th with Le Figaro, Retailleau admitted having imposed a temporary silence on Algeria to avoid obstructing efforts to free writer Boualem Sansal. However, observers note that his renewed focus on Algeria follows a slump in his popularity, suggesting a political recalibration rather than a strategic diplomatic move.

Retailleau called for a “balance of power” in relations with Algeria, dismissing what he termed “the diplomacy of good feelings.” He plans to meet President Emmanuel Macron to push for tougher measures, including visa restrictions and the scrapping of the 1968 immigration agreement. Ahead of this meeting, the government announced new restrictions limiting the travel of certain Algerian nationals to France.

The spat has exposed rifts within the French government, notably between Retailleau and Macron, amid declining momentum for the Interior Minister. Retailleau’s camp now targets Algerian consular passports, instructing prefects not to recognise them for nationals in irregular situations.

Further complicating matters, the EU launched arbitration proceedings on July 15th over Algeria’s trade and investment restrictions. Retailleau and his allies seek to leverage this dispute to pressure Algeria, with his deputy François-Xavier Bellamy asserting, “it would be essential to ask that the (European) Commission make the release of Boualem Sansal a prerequisite for any future discussion on the continuation of this agreement.”

Retailleau echoed this stance, urging Brussels to “block at the European level the ongoing negotiations on the association agreement,” intertwining domestic politics with international tensions.