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Doha – French politician Eric Ciotti, leader of the Union of the Republican Right (UDR) and ally of the National Rally (RN), has escalated tensions with Algeria by branding it a “rogue state” following its refusal to accept the deportation of social media influencer “Doualemn” in early January.
Speaking at a press conference on January 28, Ciotti drew a pointed comparison between France’s approach and what he called “the extraordinary political voluntarism” of Donald Trump in a recent standoff with Colombia, which resulted in Colombia sending two military aircraft to repatriate expelled Colombian migrants.
He criticized Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau’s handling of the ongoing crisis with Algeria, describing it as emblematic of “powerlessness.”
“Retailleau doesn’t bother me in government because his discourse suits me,” Ciotti stated, “but I cannot be satisfied with his words. I expect action from him.”
He further suggested that Retailleau would eventually need to reconcile his current position with his previous criticisms of the government coalition.
The situation became more complex on January 30 when the French judiciary suspended Doualemn’s deportation. Former French Ambassador to Algeria Xavier Driencourt argued that this decision reflected the limitations of France’s judicial system rather than diplomatic failure.
“Unlike Algeria, which refused entry to an Algerian citizen with a biometric Algerian passport, France is a state of law,” Driencourt explained.
Driencourt outlined several potential leverage points France could use against Algeria, including abrogating the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement on movement of persons, canceling the 2007 visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders, and implementing targeted fiscal controls on Algerian personalities in France.
He also suggested that France could block discussions between the European Commission and Algeria regarding the EU-Algeria association agreement.
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The ongoing diplomatic tensions are already taking a toll on the French economy. Michel Bisac, president of the Franco-Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warned that the escalating situation threatens €4.5 billion in French exports to Algeria.
He noted that Algeria has already considerably reduced French wheat imports in favor of Russian grain, though this trend predated the current crisis.
Some officials are advocating for de-escalation. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has expressed willingness to visit Algiers for discussions.
While he criticized “current excesses of the Algerian government,” Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu acknowledged the importance of maintaining strategic cooperation, particularly regarding security in the Sahel region.
This position was underscored by a previously unreported visit of French intelligence chief Nicolas Lerner to Algeria on January 13.
The crisis reflects broader changes in Franco-Algerian relations. According to Erwan Davoux, a former French intelligence officer and former presidential advisor for North Africa, “Algeria has diplomatic alternatives, and France no longer carries the same weight it once did in Europe and the world.”
The impact on French business interests is becoming increasingly apparent. Approximately 6,000 French companies operating in Algeria are facing administrative obstacles, with sources reporting delays and blockages in authorization processes.
A notable example is Renault’s factory, which awaits approval to resume production planned for this summer.
According to Geof Porter, director of North Africa Risk Consulting, the stakes extend beyond bilateral relations, as Algeria was the European Union’s third-largest supplier of natural gas and LNG in the third quarter of 2024.
Ciotti, claiming 15,000 members in his UDR party, has joined National Rally president Jordan Bardella in calling for early elections, arguing that dissolving the National Assembly is “the only prospect that can save our country time before the presidential elections to restore a stable majority.”
