Maghreb Edition

French President Wants to Suspend Visa-Free Travel for Algerian Diplomats

Posted On 7 August 2025

Number of times this article was read : 420

French President Emmanuel Macron has requested that the government suspend visa exemptions for Algerian diplomatic and official passport holders. This move, detailed in a letter to Prime Minister François Bayrou, is a response to growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Macron expressed frustration with what he sees as an unbalanced relationship and wants France to adopt a “firm” and “determined” policy toward Algeria. He specifically cited the treatment of writer Boualem Sansal and journalist Christophe Gleizes as examples of the Algerian government’s crackdown on critical voices. If implemented, this measure would be a significant diplomatic shift, signaling France’s desire to redefine its relationship with Algeria and tighten its policies on migration and security cooperation.

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