"Capitulation," "Renunciation": French Right Outraged by Ambassador's Remarks Favoring Return to 250,000 Visas Annually

France's ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet, stated his mission is to "put this relationship back on track" and restart cooperation between Paris and Algiers. He expressed a desire to increase the volume of visas issued, aiming to return to pre-crisis levels.

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I returned to Algeria with a mandate, with a will, that of President Emmanuel Macron, also confirmed to me upon my arrival by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to, in a way, put this relationship back on track.

Ambassador Romatet's comments, made in an interview on July 14, were met with strong criticism from the French right. Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure in the National Rally party, denounced the remarks as a "capitulation" and "renunciation." She argued that fully opening the "migration floodgates" is not an option for France, especially towards a regime she described as hostile and failing to meet its obligations regarding the return of expelled individuals.

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The total opening of the migration floodgates by a Macronist power at the end of its rope is not an option for France.

Romatet had explained his mandate from French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was to revive bilateral ties, particularly in security, justice, and migration. He noted that before a previous crisis, France had issued a significant number of visas, implying a desire to reach similar figures again. The article suggests this is a sensitive issue, with further details reserved for subscribers.

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It is all the less so towards a hostile regime that for months has shirked its obligations by refusing to take back its OQTF.