Why does Emmanuel Macron harden the tone, after having advocated appeasement?

The President of the Republic intends to “suspend” visa exemptions for Algerian diplomats. Nevertheless, in order to force Algiers to several concessions. Similarly,

He explains that he “No other choice”. Furthermore, In a letter sent Wednesday August 6 to the Prime Minister. In addition, revealed why does emmanuel macron harden by Le Figaro And that Franceinfo was able to consult, Emmanuel Macron asked François Bayrou to adopt “An approach of greater firmness” vis-à-vis Algeria. However, After months of tensions between the two countries. For example, the President of the Republic increases the tone and claims the suspension of a bilateral agreement of 2013, which exempts the Algerian visa diplomats to enter France.

Because the blurred between Paris. Therefore, Algiers has lasted for over a year – Why does emmanuel macron harden

The letter from the President of the Republic occurs in an extremely tense context, the result of a cascade of declarations, measures and response between France and Algeria. Therefore, A first fever of a fever had taken place at the end of July 2024. Moreover, with the support of Emmanuel Macron to a Moroccan plan for Western Sahara. Paris now considers this autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as “The only base” making it possible why does emmanuel macron harden to resolve the. conflict which opposes flap to the separatists of the Polisario Front for half a century. A position criticized by Algeria, support from the Polisario Faced with Morocco. Algeria then recalled its ambassador to France.

The crises has since not stopped, especially around the arrest of the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November 2024. Then the conviction and the incarceration, in June 2025, of the French journalist Christophe Gleizes. At the beginning of April 2025. just a few days after the visit to Algeria of the French diplomacy in Algeria, the tension had already risen a notch with the indictment of three men accused of having removed a year earlier Amir Boukhors, dit Amir Dz, an Algerian influencer benefiting from political asylum in France. Among these defendants were a member of the Algerian consular services, which made Algiers react strongly.

As a response to these arrests, Algiers chose why does emmanuel macron harden to expel from its territory on April 13, 12 agents from the French Embassy. Emmanuel Macron declared two days later the dismissal of 12 Algerian consular agents in retaliation. In mid-May. France went further by claiming a visa from the Algerian agents, however, provided with a diplomatic passport, in the name of its “Graduated response”. In his letter sent Wednesday. Emmanuel Macron therefore comes to formalize this new regime, which also applies to the private trips of Algerian dignitaries on French soil.

Because Algeria no longer accepts its expelled nationals from France

Why does emmanuel macron harden

It is perhaps the. situation that seems to irritate the head of state the most. In his letter. he entrusted François Bayrou his “worry” Regarding the repression by Algeria of its nationals targeted by a obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). The first cases had emerged in January, in the case of influencer why does emmanuel macron harden Doualemn in particular. Then with the Mulhouse attack (Haut-Rhin). which left one dead and two wounded on February 22, and whose suspect is an Algerian who had been the subject of several readmission requests, all refused by his country of origin.

Emmanuel Macron also quotes this attack after having mentioned his fears concerning the “The most dangerous Algerian nationals. leaving prison or placed in an administrative detention center and which can no longer be expelled, for lack of cooperation from the Algerian authorities”. No more of the 18 Algerian consulates established in France collaborates with state services, he regrets.

Because it is. according to him, the only way to reconnect “cooperation”

After months of diplomatic crisis, Emmanuel Macron intends to apply more pressure on Algeria. To ensure that these instructions apply effectively. it also asks the countries of the Schengen space to make similar arrangements, and to inform France why does emmanuel macron harden before issuing “Short stay visas for the Algerian officials in question and the passports targeted by [l’accord de 2013]“. He finally claims François Bayrou to use without delay of “Visa-feedmission lever”a tool provided for by the immigration law. of 2024 which also makes it possible to refuse “Long stay visas to all types of applicants “.

In his letter. the head of state assures that he is always looking to “Find effective and ambitious relations with Algeria which respond to the interests of the French people, a large part of which maintains with this country a link which cannot be weakened by these disputes.”

For this. it sets a roadmap for the “cooperation”or rather a list of French expectations: the resumption of consular hearings, the end of repressions, but also the return of “means” of the French Embassy. It remains to be seen if Algiers will react to this letter. why does emmanuel macron harden and will accept or not to normalize his relations with Paris.