The ultimatum will have done nothing. While on March 14, Bruno Retailleau presented to Algeria a list of sixty nationals deemed particularly dangerous and expensive, the Algerian regime opposed an end of non-reception. “The test of truth”as Bruno Retailleau had presented it, quickly returned his verdict. In stride, the “Graduated response” provided for by the interdepartmental immigration control committee has been set up. Paris must suspend the exemption from visas for Algerians degrees of diplomatic passports. 801 members of the nomenklatura would be concerned.
An insufficient response to the RN and Laurent Wauquiez, who demand more firmness and speed. “Who seriously believes that it is likely to make the Algerian government bend?” The only lever for action is the denunciation of the 1968 agreements ”estimates the competitor of Bruno Retailleau as the presidency of the Republicans.
But Paris defends the effectiveness of its measure. “” In reality, Algeria is a very divided country. President Tebboune is disputed by part of the elites and many officials have interests in France. The obligation to request a visa and potentially to be refused will have direct consequences on them. It is far from anecdotal “analyzes a government source. And Place Beauvau to bid: “There is an opportunistic and political side that is not up to the stake among those who call for the resignation of Bruno Retailleau. »»
The only lever for action is the denunciation of the 1968 agreements
Laurent Wauquiez
This one, a time mentioned by the person concerned, is no longer relevant. Because if the Minister of the Interior is on the front line to lead the showdown with Algiers, he can count on the flawless support of François Bayrou. Of the Élysée also, which nevertheless ensures compliance with its prerogatives. Even Jean-Noël Barrot, yet a follower of diplomacy outside cameras, calls for reacting “Without weakness” Faced with what he qualifies “Breakdown in the interests of the French”.
An arsenal of sanctions
For the government, the objective remains to sanction the regime and save the diaspora present in France. “We are targeting people who spend their time criticizing what we do and come to spend their weekends, get treatment or enjoy Ramadan here”continues a relative of the file, which promises to go upmarket if Algeria would not cooperate more. In the viewfinder: the widening of sanctions to the military or to economic circles, some of which have goods in France or whose children study in French universities. The fiscal weapon could also be part of the arsenal, such as restrictions in access to care, while the debt of Algerian nationals reached 45 million euros in 2023, just for the AP-HP. “There are a lot of drawers”summarizes an advisor.
For a long time taboo, the hypothesis of a suspension of the 1968 agreements, after having grown as the relations between the two capitals deteriorate, seems to pale. According to our information, since January, Algeria has refused to resume twenty-three from its nationals, escorted by the French police and asked to leave for Paris barely the foot placed on the Tarmac of Algiers. All had an Algerian passport, a sesame which normally provides France from obtaining a consular pass from Algeria, according to article 1 of the 1994 protocol negotiated between the two countries. “They adapt the law in real time”exasperates Place Beauvau.
The same case was presented during the failed expulsion of the influencer Doualemn, on January 9, causing the anger of Bruno Retailleau, who had called to put an end to “humiliation” inflicted on France by Algeria. Additional sign of the growing mistrust between the two countries, Paris no longer achieves distance from Air France, since a commander of Air Algeria, on the orders of the regime, refused to let an Algerian go on board his plane on the way to being expelled.
The assailant of Mulhouse, an Algerian under OQTF, had been refused by Algiers
Since the start of the year, the diet has transmitted 300 consular pass. A low figure, taking into account the number of documents claimed by Paris. Last year, France issued 21,000 obligations to leave French territory (OQTF) to Algerians, requested more than 5,000 consular pass and obtained less than 1,000. A situation “Abnormal”highlighting by the Mulhouse attack perpetrated by an Algerian under OQTF that Algiers had refused to resume, and which led Paris to engage the standoff.
The fact remains that diplomacy has not completely stopped. Unexpectedly, Saturday, March 22, the Algerian president said ” to work “ with Emmanuel Macron, whom he considers as “The only landmark”. There was “A moment of misunderstanding, but he remains the French president and all the problems must be resolved with him or with the person he delegates, namely the foreign ministers between them”. Of the “Problems to be resolved”SO. Including that of the arbitrary imprisonment of the writer Boualem Sansal? The latter, who faces up to ten years in prison, should know his verdict on Thursday, March 27.
Despite everything, pessimism is required for the future of relations between the two countries. Since the recognition of the Moroccanity of Western Sahara by France on July 30, Algeria recalled its ambassador to Paris, isolated the French ambassador to Algiers and imposed heavy constraints on French companies, to the point of making Michelin leave last month, however located on site for 62 years. “The evil is deep. Maybe it’s time to clear up this relationship. It had always been considered an exceptional partnership. However, it has become exceptionally difficult “modestly summarizes a fine connoisseur of the file.
