Algiers-Paris relations worsen after Macron move
President Emmanuel Macron is giving Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau free rein to take measures that could undermine Algeria-based French businesses, affect Algerian students in France and restrict visas for family reunions, according to TSA (August 8th).
Already under strain,  French-Algerian relations appear set for further tension as Macron aligns with far-right pressures and pro-French Algeria figures, the outlet reports. Once regarded as capable of resolving such a diplomatic standoff, the president is now accused of aggravating it by instructing Prime Minister François Bayrou to adopt a stance of “firmness and determination” towards Algeria, in contradiction of the 1968 Franco-Algerian Agreement
As part of this tougher stance, Macron asked Bayrou to suspend a 2013 agreement that exempted Algerian and French diplomatic passport-holders from having to get visas. Retailleau, having advocated a “graduated response” for months, has faced accusations from lawyer Jean-Pierre Mignard of being a “fervent support of French Algeria.”
Macron’s directive authorises Retailleau to refuse short-stay visas for holders of diplomatic or service passports and to pause the issuing of long-stay visas for all Algerian applicants. This will directly impact Algerian students and visitors to France and, if Algiers reciprocates, could make it harder for French companies in Algeria to secure work permits.
Meanwhile, Retailleau pushed for repealing the 1968 agreement, which Macron defended as “an important bilateral framework,” warning against any hasty repeal. The president argued that France’s relationship with Algeria must consider “history, human reality and millions of dual nationals.”
Macron hopes other EU countries will support his position, citing Algeria’s “lack of cooperation” and claiming that he “no longer has a choice.” His recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara triggered the deterioration in relations, and his recent endorsement of Retailleau has reinforced the hard line.
According to TSA, nostalgia for colonial-era French Algeria is being exploited for electoral gain, whilst current public sentiment scapegoats Algerians as responsible for French domestic problems. Macron is also facing internal criticism over his promise to recognise the Palestinian state as well as political embarrassment linked to the cases of writer Boualem Sansal and journalist Christophe Gleizes in Algeria.
Politically weakened at home and marginalised internationally, Macron is playing what the outlet describes as the “ultimate card” to regain public support: confronting Algiers. By granting Retailleau authority, Macron is also shifting responsibility to his minister, who until now has criticised the president’s perceived lack of firmness.
As it stands, French-Algerian relations show little sign of easing, and the risk of lasting damage to bilateral ties remains high.
TSA, Maghrebi
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