Bruno Retailleau, leader of France’s Republican Party (Les Républicains) and former Minister of the Interior, has urged the government to adopt a tougher stance toward Algeria, arguing that “goodwill diplomacy has failed.”
In recent media remarks, Retailleau noted that relations between Paris and Algiers have deteriorated since France recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move that prompted Algeria to suspend security cooperation during the Olympic Games.
He accused the Algerian authorities of “removing the French language from school curricula,” “restricting access for French companies,” and “refusing to readmit Algerian nationals convicted of crimes.”
Retailleau called for a “firm and realistic approach” to defend France’s strategic interests, while criticizing the current government’s weak response.
The comments come as Republican lawmakers voted to review the 1968 bilateral agreements granting special residency privileges to Algerian migrants, and as France recently suspended visa-free travel for holders of Algerian diplomatic passports.
