France to clamp down on Algerian dignitaries’ travel amid deportation dispute

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is “in the process” of tightening travel conditions to France for “a number of Algerian dignitaries” after Algeria refused to take back 120 nationals who are under an obligation to leave French territory, government spokesperson Sophie Primas said today Wednesday.

“The data we have shows that 120 individuals subject to an OQTF, who have valid documents (for return to Algeria, ed.), have not been accepted back by the Algerian authorities,” she stated during the post-Cabinet meeting press briefing, without specifying a date.

Tougher stand on Algeria
According to Le Figaro, 53 Algerians who had been deported were sent back to France between March and July 22, including four in recent days, as Bruno Retailleau renewed calls to take a tougher stance toward Algiers.

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“You'll have noticed that the Interior Minister has become increasingly willing to take stronger measures, particularly regarding Algerian diplomacy,” noted Sophie Primas.

“That's exactly what he is doing, especially concerning a number of Algerian dignitaries whose conditions for traveling to France will be made more stringent and difficult,” she emphasized.

“We are also in a power struggle with Algeria on this issue,” she insisted, noting that France is also demanding the release of writer Boualem Sansal and journalist Christophe Gleizes.

Algeria expels more French diplomats as tensions escalate in ongoing row

Algerian authorities
In an interview with Le Figaro on Friday, Bruno Retailleau once again criticized the Algerian authorities, accusing them in particular of issuing passports to “illegal immigrants,” and declared his intention to restrict the movement of “members of the nomenklatura” responsible for “denigrating France.”

Aiming at President Emmanuel Macron — who is scheduled to receive him Thursday at the Élysée — Retailleau also stated that “feel-good diplomacy has failed” and called for a shift in tone toward Algiers.

(With newswires)