The government of François Bayrou denounced “a posture of escalation” after an Algerian influencer deported to Algeria on Thursday was returned to France. Several measures, on the migration and economic levels, are envisaged.
How high will the tension between Paris and Algiers rise? Already degraded, relations between France and Algeria have turned into an open diplomatic crisis since the start of the year. After the refusal by Algiers, Thursday January 9, to welcome on its soil the influencer Doualemn, expelled by Paris after the publication of a video in which he called for “hit a man appearing to reside in Algeria”according to the Montpellier public prosecutor’s office, the tone is even higher. On Saturday, the Algerian government denounced a “arbitrary expulsion” executed by a “revengeful and hateful extreme right”.
Before this latest outing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, warned Friday, on LCI, that France would not have “no other option than to retaliate” and “the Algerians continue this escalating posture”.
“There is a whole arsenal of diplomatic response, some things we say, others we don’t. We will do it at the pace and in the way we deem most effective, mobilizing all the levers at our disposal “explained the head of French diplomacy. Franceinfo reviews the measures that Paris could adopt to increase its pressure on Algiers.
Reduce the number of visas granted each year
First, France could reduce the number of visas it grants each year to Algerian nationals. “We give them visas, but they don’t give enough consular passes”lamented Bruno Retailleau, in front of journalists, Friday. Near the Parisianthe Minister of the Interior had shown at the beginning of January his desire to“take on a standoff” in this matter.
Gabriel Attal, former Prime Minister, also wants “reduce the number of visas granted”as he declared to Figaro. In 2023, the number of residence permits granted to Algerian nationals was 646,462, according to a report from the national directorate of foreigners in France, more than for Moroccans (603,482).
Would this measure really be effective? In 2021, France had already drastically reduced the number of visas granted for the Maghreb, with a 50% reduction in the number of visas granted. A measurement without “great result”recalled Saturday on franceinfo Hasni Abidi, director of the Center for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World in Geneva, Switzerland. In December 2022, the French government even decided to resume a “normal consular relationship” with Algiers.
Denounce the 1968 agreement for Algerian nationals
In addition to reducing the number of visas, several French politicians, on the right and on the far right, but also in the center, are targeting the 1968 agreement which organizes the entry, stay and employment of Algerian nationals in France. , since the end of the Algerian War. Revised in 1985, 1994 and 2001, it guarantees these individuals a more favorable regime than common law, notably “to carry out a commercial activity or an independent profession”according to the Ministry of the Interior. Executive of the Republicans, Bruno Retailleau has long been “favorable to the denunciation of the Franco-Algerian agreement of 1968”.
-Within the presidential camp, it was first Edouard Philippe, head of the Horizons party, who spoke out in favor of denouncing this agreement in June 2023. Friday, in Le FigaroGabriel Attal also castigated this agreement, “become an immigration channel in its own right, allowing family reunification and the settlement of people, without them even having to know our language or show their integration”.
Reduce your development aid
France could apply other provisions, particularly economic ones, against Algiers. On LCI, Friday evening, Jean-Noël Barrot assured that “development aid” was part of “levers” available to Paris for “replicate” against Algeria.
In 2022, for example, France paid 131.79 million euros in development aid to Algeria, compared to 112.23 million euros in 2021 and 111.63 million euros in 2020. This aid does not directly finance the Algerian government’s policy, but allows French schools and universities to welcome young Algerians, for example.
Plead, at European level, for an increase in customs duties
France could toughen up its tone on other levels. “The commercial weapon can be a very useful tool. Let us hold the necessary discussions at the European level to, if necessary, increase customs tariffs with Algeria”defended Gabriel Attal on Friday.
The former Prime Minister knows that these customs duties are set by the European Union and are not the policy of any single country. “France does not have major levers in terms of economic sanctions” sans “to be dubbed by the EU”summarizes researcher Hasni Abidi.
If it were successful, at the end of a long diplomatic journey within the EU, this decision could, however, turn against France, because Algeria exports oil and gas. The Maghreb country represented 8% of gas imports in 2023 and 10% of oil imports in the same year.
