Diplomatic Crisis Between France and Algeria: Bruno Retailleau Announces Retaliatory Measures

Algeria has refused to take back sixty of its nationals that France wanted to expel, prompting a strong reaction from the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau. Believing that Algeria is not respecting bilateral agreements, he announced the implementation of a “graduated response” decided by the interministerial committee led by the Prime Minister.

Suspension of Visa Exemption for Algerian Diplomats

Among the first measures announced is the suspension of the 2007 agreement, which allowed holders of Algerian diplomatic passports to come to France without a visa. Bruno Retailleau publicly expressed regret over Algeria’s refusal to apply international law and reaffirmed the French government’s commitment to maintaining a firm stance on this issue.

A Political Standoff

Algeria’s rejection of the list of prioritized expulsion targets, deemed by France to pose a security risk, has heightened tensions between the two countries. Algeria justified its refusal by citing procedural issues and invited France to use the usual diplomatic channels.

Firmness Assumed by the Government

Despite the tensions, Bruno Retailleau stated that he would not leave the government as long as the decisions made were applied. This diplomatic crisis further illustrates the complex relationship between Paris and Algiers, where every move is closely scrutinized on both sides of the Mediterranean.