French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has stirred debate with his call to reduce Algerian immigration and promote assimilation to counter rising anti-French sentiment among Algerians in France and abroad.
In an interview with L’Express on January 22, Retailleau laid out his vision for mending ties with Algeria, focusing on two key areas: curbing immigration and fostering integration. “I think we are too generous. France issues the highest number of visas in Europe. Our historical ties with Maghreb countries alone don’t justify these figures,” he stated.
Retailleau highlighted disparities in visa issuance, citing that France granted 2.4 million visas in 2024, far more than Germany’s 1.5 million. Calling for stricter immigration controls, he added, “Seventy percent of French people, including left-wing voters, want us to stop uncontrolled immigration.”
The minister also stressed the importance of assimilation over mere integration. He criticized the tendency to dwell on France’s colonial past, particularly the colonization of Algeria and its independence in 1962. “To achieve this, we must stop portraying our history in a lachrymose, penitential way,” he said, urging a more balanced view of Franco-Algerian relations.
Retailleau acknowledged Algeria’s right to celebrate its independence but insisted France deserves reciprocal respect. “No historical pain grants anyone, including Algeria, the right to insult France,” he declared.
His comments come amidst rising tensions, exacerbated by what Retailleau described as a surge in anti-French sentiment since 2023. He pointed to the revival of an anti-French verse in Algeria’s national anthem and the influence of social media figures with ties to Algeria.
One notable case involved the deportation of TikTok influencer “Zazouyoucef,” an Algerian national accused of inciting violence against critics of the Algerian regime in France. Although expelled to Algeria, he was later sent back to France by Algerian authorities.
Critics, however, pushed back against Retailleau’s stance. Former diplomat Gérard Arnaud accused him of pandering to his base, saying on social media, “This is not how foreign policy is conducted. Such blustering postures lead nowhere.”
Despite the controversy, Retailleau maintains that reducing immigration and fostering assimilation are necessary steps to rebuild trust and “normalize” relations between France and Algeria.
