France Confirms "Gradual Response" Against Algeria Amid Diplomatic Row

Paris, March 2, 2025 – French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau doubled down on Sunday, confirming a "gradual response" against Algeria, including the expulsion of some Algerian nationals at Paris’s Roissy airport. The move, detailed in an interview with Le Figaro, comes just days after President Emmanuel Macron sought to de-escalate tensions with Algiers, highlighting a rift in France’s approach to the worsening crisis.

Retailleau’s Hardline Stance

Retailleau revealed that France has tightened border controls, notably at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, where Algerian diplomatic passport holders now require a mission order to enter. “We’ve already implemented a response at our borders,” he told Le Figaro. “Some Algerian nationals have been sent back to their country as a result.” He described this "gradual response" as the most effective tactic, starting with targeted measures against individuals, including “members of the Algerian nomenklatura.”

A source close to the matter confirmed that this policy led to the recent barring of the wife of Algeria’s ambassador to Mali from entering France. The official reason cited was incomplete travel documents, though Algeria disputes this claim.

Algeria Slams “Provocation”

The incident involving the ambassador’s wife has fueled outrage in Algiers. On Saturday, the Algerian Press Service (APS) denounced it as “the provocation too far,” accusing Retailleau of undermining Macron’s conciliatory tone. APS reported that the woman—denied entry hours after Macron’s remarks—presented a residency certificate, insurance proof, and her husband’s credit card, contradicting France’s claim of insufficient documentation. “The hateful Interior Minister added insult to injury,” APS charged, alleging she was rejected for “lacking money” despite her legal status.

This clash follows a pattern of escalating friction, including disputes over the 1968 migration accords and Algeria’s refusal to repatriate nationals like the Mulhouse attacker (France-Algeria tensions).

Macron’s Call for Calm vs. Retailleau’s Crackdown

On Friday, Macron broke his silence after weeks of Retailleau’s sharp critiques of Algeria, urging both nations to “reengage in substantive work” on migration agreements (Macron’s statement). His comments aimed to soothe relations strained by issues like the detention of writer Boualem Sansal and stalled deportations. Yet, Retailleau’s actions—greenlighting expulsions within 48 hours—suggest a disconnect, with the Interior Ministry pursuing a tougher line.

Retailleau defended the strategy as a measured escalation, targeting influential Algerians to pressure Algiers into compliance. “It’s about individual measures first, especially against the regime’s elite,” he said, hinting at broader steps if tensions persist.

Fallout and Implications

Algeria sees this as a deliberate slight, potentially triggering retaliatory moves like visa restrictions or trade curbs. The APS’s fiery response signals a deepening rift, with Algiers framing Retailleau as a saboteur of diplomacy. For France, the internal discord—Macron’s olive branch clashing with Retailleau’s iron fist—risks undermining its credibility and complicating efforts to stabilize ties.

Posts on X reflect growing concern, with users calling it a “diplomatic mess” and questioning France’s coherence ([X reactions, March 1, 2025]). As the crisis unfolds, both sides face pressure to reconcile rhetoric with action or brace for further escalation.

Incident Snapshot

• Date: February 28, 2025
• Event: Algerian ambassador’s wife barred at Roissy
• French Claim: Missing travel documents
• Algerian Rebuttal: Fully legal, “provocation” by Retailleau
• Context: Follows Macron’s de-escalation plea

Conclusion: A Diplomatic Tug-of-War

France’s “gradual response” against Algeria, confirmed by Retailleau, has reignited a simmering feud, overshadowing Macron’s bid for calm. With expulsions underway and Algiers fuming, this latest spat threatens to unravel fragile ties.