In the midst of the fiasco of the failed expulsion of an Algerian influencer, the right and the far right are once again demanding the end of a treaty signed between Paris and Algiers in 1968.
Thursday January 9, Algeria refused the expulsion from France of the Algerian influencer Doualemn, although he is of Algerian nationality. It must be said that the person whom the French authorities accuse of having called for violent acts on TikTok is already banned from entering… Algeria. While Doualemn was sent back to France by the Algerian authorities, the right and the far right stepped up to the plate. In their sights: a Franco-Algerian treaty which facilitates the installation of Algerian nationals in France
From Jordan Bardella to Édouard Philippe via Éric Ciotti, all have long demanded the end of this treaty signed in 1968. Treaty which the current President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, has however always refused to end, when well even relations with Algeria have become strained. This Friday morning again, on the airwaves of BFMTVthe deputy of the National Rally, Jean-Philippe Tanguy was annoyed: “We have been subject to the Algerian regime for more than 50 years.” But in reality, what is it about?
Fewer and fewer advantages
Signed six years after the independence of Algeria and while France was cruelly lacking in manpower, right in the middle of the Thirty Glorious Years, this treaty aimed to facilitate economic immigration between France and its former colony. On the program: relaxed measures concerning arrival in France and the issuance of residence permits, but also a reduced waiting time (12 months instead of 18 for other foreigners) for family reunification. This treaty has, however, already been modified three times in the past, recalls BFMTV. Little by little, many advantages were removed. Also note that while the installation of Algerians is partly facilitated, the provisions relating to expulsions are the same as for any foreigner. In other words, an Algerian subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) will not benefit from any privileges.
A possible end of the treaty not without consequences for Paris
Today, the approval of the Élysée is necessary for any questioning of this agreement. As for its removal, this may prove not to be as desirable as some suggest. Indeed, Paris is not immune to repercussions from Algiers. In terms of immigration to begin with, Algeria could decide to reduce the number of consular passes without which France could no longer expel possible Algerians under OQTF in particular.
On the economic front, it would also be a shame if the Algerian government decided to make trade between the two countries, which is doing particularly well, pay the high price of this political choice. Algeria, its gas and its oil have indeed been more than welcome in recent years while France wanted to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, to name just that.