French Interior Minister Bruno Le Maire has accused Algeria of issuing passports to undocumented migrants through its consulate in Toulouse, calling it a violation of French sovereignty.
In an interview with Le Figaro, the minister claimed that “hundreds of passports” were issued illegally by the Algerian diplomatic mission and announced plans to instruct French administrations not to recognize such documents.
He also warned of restrictive measures against Algerian officials allegedly involved in what he described as a campaign to “defame France”, and threatened to stall trade negotiations between the European Union and Algeria, asserting that Algeria would be the main beneficiary.
Le Maire criticized France’s previous diplomatic stance toward Algeria as a “failed policy of goodwill”, calling for a shift towards a more assertive defense of French national interests.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions between the two nations, notably following France’s support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara — a move that prompted Algeria to recall its ambassador and expel 12 French diplomats last April.
Despite diplomatic efforts earlier this year to normalize ties, the crisis continues to deepen, casting uncertainty over EU-Algeria cooperation and the future of the historically fraught French-Algerian relationship.
