In favor of the “graduated response” advocated by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin advocates other measures to act immediately against Algiers.
Algeria’s refusal to take back around 60 of its nationals subject to expulsion proceedings “is not a humiliation,” according to Darmanin. However, France is taking action. Speaking on TF1, cited by Le Figaro, the justice minister said the first stage of France’s counter-offensive was launched on Monday evening with the suspension of the 2007 agreement relating to visa exemptions.
“Before attacking the people in the street, our friends,” he recommends attacking “political and economic leaders” first. “We must recall our ambassador and put an end to diplomatic passports that give the right to come and seek medical treatment or do one’s shopping in France,” he said.
Darmanin did not rule out a challenge to the 1968 agreement but said, “Let’s wait for Algeria’s response.” President Macron has refused to denounce this agreement.
Despite these “moments of tension (…) which are very regrettable,” Gérald Darmanin calls for “talking” with Algeria, calling it a “great country.”
“Diplomacy consists of talking to people with whom we do not agree.” he continued, adding that “one day we will have to have a relationship, an agreement with Algeria, but that does not mean that we should be naive.”
Darmanin also mocked Marine Le Pen’s proposal to freeze visas and private fund transfers, end official development aid, and denounce the 1968 agreement. “The principle of the graduated response is that it be graduated. We see that Madame Le Pen has never led the country, she doesn’t see how a relationship with a large country works,” he said.
Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, interviewed on Cnews, said he also supports the “graduated response” strategy put forward by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau but insists on the need to “put an end to” the 1968 agreement.
“If Algeria does not respect its obligations (the 1994 protocol on the readmission of Algerian citizens to Algeria, ed. note), there is no reason to offer it a more favorable status.” The 1968 agreement in fact creates a single status for Algerian nationals in terms of movement, residence and employment, notes Le Figaro.
Philippe insisted that current tensions are not with the Algerian people or with French people of Algerian origin. However, he reiterated that France “cannot accept that the Algerian government is designating France as responsible for all its ills,” adding that “France’s interest is to say ‘enough is enough.'”
