France’s Interior Minister Threatens to Revisit 1968 Accords Amid Rising Tensions with Algeria
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced a tough stance against Algeria, accusing it of violating international law amid a diplomatic crisis following a knife attack in Mulhouse. He plans to demand the return of dangerous Algerian nationals and threatens a review of the 1968 bilateral accords if Algeria fails to cooperate.
hassan benyoub 
Paris, March 3, 2025 – French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has signaled a tough new stance against Algeria, accusing the country of flouting international law and warning of a potential overhaul of the 1968 bilateral accords. Speaking on BFMTV Monday morning, Retailleau outlined plans for a “gradual response” to Algeria’s refusal to repatriate dangerous nationals, escalating a diplomatic row that intensified after a deadly knife attack in Mulhouse.
Retailleau’s Hardline Approach
Retailleau hailed the government’s unified shift toward a confrontational approach, a position he says is now “shared” across the administration. “Algeria does not respect international law,” he charged, pointing to its failure to take back identified Algerian nationals deemed a security risk in France. The Mulhouse attack, carried out by an Algerian recidivist who slipped through deportation efforts, has become a flashpoint, exposing what Retailleau calls a lack of cooperation from Algiers.
The minister announced plans to present Algeria with a list of “several hundred” individuals—confirmed Algerians with documented threats—demanding their return. “This will be the moment of truth,” he said, framing it as a test of Algeria’s willingness to comply. Failure to do so, he warned, would trigger harsher measures.
Revisiting the 1968 Accords
The 1968 accords, which govern migration and cooperation between France and Algeria, are now under scrutiny. Last Wednesday, Prime Minister François Bayrou fired the opening salvo, calling for a review within “one month to six weeks” if Algeria continues to disregard its obligations. Retailleau echoed this, suggesting the accords could be scrapped entirely if reciprocity remains absent, particularly on issues like managing irregular migrants.
“We have the tools for a graduated response,” Retailleau told BFMTV. Potential steps include tightening visa rules for Algerian diplomats—already evident in recent border expulsions at Roissy—and pressuring Air Algérie over administrative compliance. He also hinted at economic leverage, amid reports of French firms being sidelined in Algerian public contracts, reflecting broader anti-French sentiment.
A Diplomatic Breaking Point
The standoff follows incidents like the barring of the Algerian ambassador’s wife from France and Algeria’s detention of writer Boualem Sansal, straining ties further. Retailleau framed the escalating hostility as a challenge France must meet head-on. “Should France bow its head?” he asked rhetorically. “No historical pain grants a license to offend France.”
Social media posts on X amplify this sentiment, with users praising Retailleau’s resolve and urging a visa freeze, though some warn of economic blowback ([X reactions, March 2-3, 2025]). The minister’s stance builds on his earlier calls for a “power dynamic” with Algeria, a shift from past softer approaches.
What’s Next?
Retailleau’s list of deportees marks a critical juncture—Algeria’s response could dictate whether France escalates to visa bans or trade restrictions. With the government coalescing around this firm line, the 1968 accords hang in the balance, potentially reshaping Franco-Algerian relations.
