French Prime Minister Michel Barnier Seeks De-escalation with Algeria Amidst Immigration Tensions

In an exclusive interview with Le Journal du Dimanche on October 20, 2024, Barnier referred to Algeria as a “country close to France,” signaling a desire to re-establish rapport with its North African neighbor. The Prime Minister’s remarks reflect an urgent need to address pressing immigration issues, a sensitive topic that has often strained bilateral relations.

When questioned about his intention to implement measures previously announced by Retailleau aimed at pressuring Algeria and other nations to accept the return of their citizens subject to deportation orders from France, Barnier underscored his commitment to fostering “a spirit of dialogue.” He articulated a collaborative approach, stating, “Through dialogue, we will expand or resume discussions with these countries.” He emphasized that this would not be executed in an aggressive manner but rather through all available tools for bilateral cooperation, reiterating that dialogue should serve the interests of all parties involved without placing blame on the nations concerned.

Barnier’s remarks come in stark contrast to Retailleau’s more confrontational rhetoric regarding immigration policy. While the Interior Minister has expressed a willingness to engage Morocco, which he described as a “friend,” he has threatened to adopt a power dynamics approach with Algeria, advocating for stricter measures to compel the North African nation to issue sufficient consular authorizations for the return of its citizens facing deportation from France.

Such comments from a politician aligned with the far-right, who has been accused of harboring an obsession with Algeria, are unsurprising. Retailleau, a member of the conservative “Les Républicains” party, aligns more closely with the “Rassemblement National” party—formerly known as the extreme “Front National”—founded by the Le Pen family in the early 1970s. His views echo the sentiments of hardline elements that have historically resisted diplomatic reconciliation with Algeria.

In his interview, Barnier indicated an openness to exploring “all possible solutions” if necessary, including measures ranging from visa issuance to developmental aid. This statement marks a continuation of France’s strategy to leverage visa policies as a means of influencing countries to comply with repatriation requests, a tactic that has seen limited success in the past and has often exacerbated tensions.

In 2021, a French decision to cut the number of visas granted to Algerians by half sparked a significant diplomatic crisis, leading Algeria to recall its ambassador and creating a ripple effect of instability fueled by the sensitive nature of their bilateral relationship.