Overview

• Algerian officials summoned the French ambassador twice this week to protest alleged discriminatory practices targeting Algerian travelers at French airports, reportedly orchestrated by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
• Algerian media launched a coordinated campaign labeling Retailleau as hostile toward Algeria, with terms like 'minister of hate' and 'neofascist' used in prominent headlines.
• Reports claim Algerian travelers faced long delays and intrusive checks at Paris airports, with only one customs desk open exclusively for them, sparking accusations of collective punishment.
• French officials have denied the allegations, attributing the incidents to isolated operational issues rather than targeted policies.
• The controversy highlights ongoing strains in Franco-Algerian relations, with Retailleau's hardline immigration stance clashing with diplomatic efforts to rebuild bilateral ties.