French Politician Proposes ‘Zero Visa’ Policy for Algeria

The leader of the French far-right National Rally party, Jordan Bardella, has proposed that France applies a “zero visa” policy for nationals of Algeria.

Such a proposal from Bardella comes after Algeria has refused once again to take back a national expelled by the French authorities, Schengen.News reports. 

Immediately after this event, Bardella criticised the country’s diplomatic policy towards Algeria, which, according to him, has evoked a series of provocations. 

During an interview, Bardella said that if Algeria continues refusing to cooperate with the repatriation of its nationals who have received an order to leave the territory of France, visa issuance for Algeria should be suspended altogether, and not only for a certain group of nationals.

According to Bardella, Algeria has multiplied its insults and provocations against France. Taking this into consideration, he stressed that France should uphold its national interest and introduce stringent measures in response to these insults and provocations. 

He further highlighted that there should be mutual respect between the two countries. 

Bardella is not the only one who has been calling for stricter visa rules against Algeria. Amid the diplomatic tension between France and Algeria, the French Minister of Interior and the Minister of Justice also proposed tightened measures.

French Justice Minister Said He Wants to End Visa Exemption for Algerian Diplomatic Passport Holders 
Earlier in January, the Minister of Justice of France, Gérald Darmanin, said that he wants to end visa-free travel for Algerian diplomatic passport holders. 

Amid the worsening tension between the two countries, Minister Darmanin said the persons who hold an Algerian diplomatic passport should not be permitted visa-free entry to France. 

This statement from the Minister came after Algeria refused to take back a national who was deported by France for inciting violence through a video posted on his Tiktok account. 

While the Justice Minister said that he wants to end visa-free travel for Algerian diplomatic passport holders, the Minister of Interior, Bruno Retailleau, said that France should cut the number of visas for all Algerian nationals. 

Minister Retailleau said that tightened visa rules against Algerians should be applied until the North African country agrees to take back its nationals who have been ordered to leave France. 

However, a senior French diplomat has said that the plan to cut the number of visas for Algerians may not work without the EU’s backing. It is yet to be seen if a decision will be taken on the EU level.

Source: https://schengen.news/french-politician-proposes-zero-visa-policy-for-algeria/