France-Algeria Diplomatic Crisis Deepens: Paris Warns of Harsher Measures

Tensions between Paris and Algiers have reached a new high. On Thursday, May 15, 2025, France announced plans to implement “more significant” measures targeting the Algerian community residing in its territory, as part of a diplomatic standoff that has lasted nearly ten months.

Government spokesperson Sophie Primas stated after the Council of Ministers that relations with Algeria are “worsening” and that “the situation is moving in the wrong direction.” She cited the lack of progress in the case of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal and the recent expulsion of French diplomats from Algeria as central factors.

In response to Algeria’s demand to expel French diplomats allegedly in irregular status, France has ordered the departure of several holders of Algerian diplomatic passports without valid visas. “They have been asked to leave French territory and will be returned to Algeria shortly,” Primas confirmed.

Primas also revealed that the French government is considering new, more impactful measures aimed at the Algerian community in France, without disclosing further details or a timeline—clearly signaling increased pressure on Algiers.

This latest development adds to a series of hostile actions between the two countries: suspension of bilateral cooperation, reduced diplomatic privileges, frozen joint projects, tighter visa policies, and deportations of migrants.

Two days earlier, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot had already ordered the expulsion of several Algerian diplomats, calling it a “firm, immediate, and proportionate response.” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also raised the possibility of revising the 2013 bilateral agreement on mutual visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders. As the crisis drags on, mutual distrust deepens, raising the prospect of even more drastic measures in the near future.