French Authorities Face Internal Criticism Over Crisis With Algeria

After a deep slumber, the French left, which has a majority in the National Assembly (lower chamber), woke up to the worsening crisis with Algeria, following the recent arrests of Algerian influencers living in France, criticizing the extreme positions of Breno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior in the government of François Bayrou.

Green Party leader Marine Tondolier took a swipe at Retailleau, calling his actions a “provocation” to Algeria. “I consider what Retailleau did a provocation,” she said. “What the (Algerian) influencer did is a provocation, but what Retailleau did is also a provocation,” she argued.

Tondolier accused the French interior minister of not respecting French laws: “What Retailleau did is contrary to the rule of law. A man who is awaiting his trial date in February has been expelled before the court’s decision. Excuse me. This is a symbol (act) of the extreme right in power,” he said in a program on the French parliamentary channel.

In international law there are rules. When a country wants to deport a subject from another country, it must have the consent of that country. “People are not just parcels” sent by airplane. Responding to a reporter’s question, she added: “Yes, we have issues with the Algerian government, but in relations between countries there are rules that have to be respected.”

According to Tondolier, the French interior minister is used to creating an issue every week, which she described as “shocking.” “Instead of asking me about the fires that Retailleau has started, you should ask the one who started them about the outcome,” she told reporters, accusing him of not wanting to address the real issues in the country.

Marine Tondolier’s remarks did not go unanswered by the French Interior Minister, who commented on her remarks, saying: “To those who are sensitive to Algeria’s arguments. The ministerial decree was taken on the basis of facts that pose a serious threat to public order.

This administrative response to an absolute state of emergency is different from a judicial response. This is the separation of judiciary and administration in a state based on the rule of law.”

Bruno Retailleau belongs to the traditional right, represented by the Republicans, but his political positions are closer to the far-right led by the recently deceased Le Pen family, and he was among the names supported by the far-right National Rally party in the previous government headed by Michel Barnier.

In the same context, the left-wing party Proud France accused French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau of being one of the politicians contributing to the escalation of tensions between France and Algeria. Mathilde Pannu, head of the party’s parliamentary group in the lower chamber of parliament, published a statement titled: “No to the escalation between France and Algeria!”

“Since entering the government, Bruno Retailleau’s approach has encouraged escalation and confrontation, which is irresponsible,” the statement from the party led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon said, emphasizing that Algerian-French differences ”should only be resolved through the application of the law.” The deportation of the influencer “Boualem” has shown that Retailleau has put his government in great embarrassment in front of French and international public opinion.