Algerian military regime: the French Parliament prepares a European diplomatic offensive
On February 6, 2025, a European resolution proposal (n°852 corrected, n°914-A0) was submitted to the French National Assembly by Constance Le Grip and several members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Although non-binding, it aims to shape France’s diplomatic position within the European Union by urging the French government and the European Commission to actively advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of Boualem Sansal, a writer detained by the Algerian military regime.
The text is currently under review, and the amendments introduced reveal deep political divisions. While some support a conciliatory dialogue with the Algerian regime, others call for measured diplomatic pressure, whereas the most assertive voices demand radical sanctions. This resolution marks a major legislative turning point in Franco-Algerian relations and in France’s diplomatic strategy regarding European migration and security issues. It also brings greater international scrutiny to the Algerian military regime, paving the way for potential sanctions from European institutions and international bodies against the Algerian government.
A DIVIDED PARLIAMENT: WHO DEFENDS WHAT?
In the European resolution proposal (n°852 corrected, n°914-A0) submitted to the French National Assembly on February 6, 2025, by Mme Constance Le Grip, the non-binding text seeks to influence France’s diplomatic stance within the European Union by calling on the French government and the European Commission to advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of Boualem Sansal.
On February 20, 2025, LFI-NFP parliamentary members introduced amendments that stripped the resolution of any concrete measures, reducing it to symbolic declarations with no tangible impact. Among these deputies, five are of Algerian origin: Mme Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi, M. Idir Boumertit, Mme Zahia Hamdane, M. Abdelkader Lahmar, and Mme Sophia Chikirou.
According to them, Boualem Sansal’s imprisonment has been exploited by the far right and the French government to fuel diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria and to reinforce a xenophobic narrative. They also condemned what they described as “aggressive and irresponsible escalation towards Algeria”, accusing French political leaders of needlessly inflaming bilateral tensions.
LFI-NFP deputies criticized the mobilization in favor of Boualem Sansal, asserting that it was not genuinely motivated by the defense of human rights or freedom of expression in Algeria, but rather part of a political maneuver orchestrated by the French government to increase tensions with Algiers and stigmatize Algerians, dual nationals, and French citizens of Algerian origin.
At the same time, they defended the continuation of European funding in Algeria, arguing that EU-financed projects directly benefit local populations and help create the necessary conditions for progress in the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. According to them, conditioning these funds on political criteria would amount to demanding that these initiatives meet long-term objectives from the outset. As part of its European Neighborhood Policy, the European Union finances various programs in Algeria through a Multiannual Indicative Plan (PIM) worth several tens of millions of euros for the 2021-2027 period. This plan is structured around three main priorities: Energy transition and climate action, Economic governance and local development, Sustainable and inclusive growth, including green and digital jobs.
In another amendment, LFI-NFP deputies justified the removal of paragraph 36, which conditions the renegotiation of the EU-Algeria association agreement on the release of Boualem Sansal, by invoking the situation in Gaza. They argued: “Fifteen months of genocidal war in Gaza have not been enough to convince the authors of this proposal that Israel’s daily and blatant violations of international law should also warrant a reconsideration of the EU’s agreement with that state.”
Furthermore, they proposed removing the clause calling on the French government and the European Commission to tie future EU financial aid to Algeria to concrete progress in the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. In their view, such conditionality would be a biased and unjustified approach to bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, the center-right (Les Républicains), represented by Xavier Breton, proposed that the French government and the European Commission appoint Boualem Sansal as an ambassador. Beyond its symbolic significance, this nomination would grant him diplomatic protection. Additionally, they called on the French government to revoke the 2007 letter exchange between Bernard Kouchner and Mourad Medelci, as well as the Franco-Algerian agreement of December 27, 1968, arguing that such a reassessment is necessary in the current political context.
In a prior investigation into Algerian diplomatic passport privileges and their beneficiaries, we documented that Algeria maintains 25 bilateral agreements exempting its ruling elite from visa requirements (which you can see in full in our investigation report here). These exemptions, granted through diplomatic passports, include agreements with seven Schengen countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Poland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, and Finland. Even if France were to unilaterally revoke its 2007 bilateral agreement on diplomatic passports with Algeria, Algerian military officials and regime members could still circumvent restrictions by transiting through these Schengen states. Acknowledging this loophole, France is preparing a restricted entry list of 112 Algerian regime figures and is now actively coordinating a broader EU-wide response. Given that Boualem Sansal holds citizenship in an EU member state, the relevant legislative instruments governing the protection of Union citizens abroad shall be invoked, triggering the full extent of France’s diplomatic leverage under the applicable international conventions and EU mechanisms.
Rassemblement National deputies are calling for the suspension of both European and French financial aid to Algeria, arguing that the EU-Algeria Multiannual Indicative Program has provided the Algerian state with €172 million between 2021 and 2024, with an additional €26.5 million allocated through a project managed by Expertise France. Meanwhile, the French Development Agency (AFD) remains actively involved in Algeria, funding several ongoing programs listed as “in progress” on its official website. Among these financial commitments are: €700,000 for the “Jeunesses et pouvoir d’agir” (JPA – Algeria/Tunisia) project, which aims to promote the social integration of young people. €9 million spread across nine countries, including Algeria, for the promotion of pilot programs and expertise in risk reduction, sexual and reproductive rights, and health. €850,000 dedicated to directly supporting the most vulnerable human rights defenders, including those in Algeria. In light of these elements, the proposed amendment calls for blocking these financial flows, making any future aid conditional on Algeria’s compliance with its international commitments.
In line with this approach, Rassemblement National deputies also emphasize the need for France and European institutions to demand that Algiers fulfill its obligations regarding the readmission of its nationals. They argue that this is essential to upholding international law and ensuring the security of French citizens, in accordance with the 2005 EU-Algeria Association Agreement. As a direct retaliatory measure, the amendment calls for the suspension of visa issuance for Algerian nationals until Boualem Sansal is released. The proponents of this measure believe that such a decision would send a strong message to the Algerian regime, demonstrating that the repression of dissident voices carries diplomatic and administrative consequences. They urge the French government and the European Commission to halt all visa issuance to Algerians seeking entry into the EU for as long as the regime continues to suppress political opposition. According to them, this pressure is necessary to push Algiers to respect fundamental freedoms and end its political persecutions.
The Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to continue discussions on the resolution and its amendments in the coming weeks. If adopted, this measure could further strain Franco-Algerian relations and test the European Union’s willingness to impose collective pressure on the Algerian military regime, led by Saïd Chengriha.
Abderrahmane Fares ✍️
