French Interior Minister Calls for End to 1968 Immigration Accord with Algeria, Sparking Internal Debate

Bruno Retailleau's proposal to revoke the bilateral agreement faces opposition from French diplomats and political figures advocating for diplomacy over escalation.

• Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has proposed terminating the 1968 Franco-Algerian accord, which grants Algerians unique immigration privileges in France, calling it outdated and problematic.
• The agreement allows Algerians to enter France without a long-stay visa, work independently, and obtain long-term residency more easily compared to other nationalities.
• Retailleau's stance follows diplomatic tensions, including Algeria's refusal to accept an expelled influencer and the imprisonment of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.
• Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin criticized Retailleau's approach, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against punitive measures.
• The proposal has reignited broader debates on France-Algeria relations, which have been strained by historical ties, recent policy shifts, and escalating rhetoric on both sides.

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