The issue of immigration has returned again, to constitute a hot topic in France, with the emergence of multiple calls, the latest of which was by former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, of the need to review the immigration agreement with Algeria signed in 1968 because of its “unfairness to France.” The invitations are mostly issued by right-wing political currents and parties, which have made immigration one of their main programs.
During an interview with the French weekly “Express”, Edouard Philippe, former French Prime Minister, raised a new debate on the issue of immigration with his proposal to reconsider the immigration agreement with Algeria.
The agreement referred to by Philip was concluded in 1968 between Algeria and France, according to which Paris granted Algerian immigrants “privileges” compared to immigrants from other countries, including entry to French territory, residence, work and family reunification. The French politician and mayor of “Le Havre” considered that this agreement “fully defines the law applicable to the entry and residence of Algerian nationals, with much better conditions than the system in force, which is a great advantage that no citizen of another country enjoys.”
For reference, after Algeria gained independence from France in 1962, the number of Algerian immigrants was very large, which required Paris and Algeria to work to settle the situation of these people. France concluded agreements with most of its former colonies regarding the immigration of its nationals to it and the organization of their presence there, but the 1968 agreement with Algeria was different from those agreements.
Where the agreement granted Algerians in France special privileges, which included facilitating their entry to its lands, practicing professions and businesses, and easy obtaining long-term residence permits (10 years) …
12% of the number of immigrants in France are of Algerian nationality
It seems that the position of the former prime minister regarding this agreement is not the only one, as the former French ambassador to Algeria, Xavier Drencourt, had criticized it as well, considering that it did not meet the needs of his country and demanded that it be reconsidered, “even if this leads to a diplomatic crisis.”
During an interview with the French magazine “Le Point” last month, Drinkor indicated that the terms of the agreement are “exorbitant” for France, and that they put Algerian immigrants in a privileged category compared to their counterparts of other nationalities, “as if immigration laws do not apply to them.”
In an article on the “Foundation for Political Renewal – Fondapol” website on the same subject, the former diplomat continued his attack on Algeria, considering that it does not fulfill its obligations regarding the agreement in terms of issuing consular passports for the deportation of immigrants, which creates additional burdens on the French immigration authorities. Drinkor reported that Algerians now represent 12% of the total number of immigrants in France, warning of an increase in these numbers with the continuation of the economic crises in their country.
In defending his position on revising the agreement, the former ambassador to Algeria considered that the current economic, political and social contexts have changed radically compared to what they were in 1968. Politically, the issue of immigration has become at the heart of public debate and part of the political programs and plans of various French parties. Economically, Drinkor linked the need for labor in the country in the post-World War II economy and the current reality, as this need has disappeared today and therefore the judiciary must stop the privileges granted to Algerians and subject them to the immigration law applicable to all immigrants in the country, always according to the former ambassador.
Drinkor believed that “one of the reasons for the agreement was to facilitate the movement of people after independence, as a result of the presence of a large number of French (black feet) in Algeria. With the departure of these people from Algeria, the review of the agreement has become necessary.
For his part, Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate and member of the Republican Party, announced on France Inter. That the Franco-Algerian Convention of 1968 should be reviewed regarding the entry, residence and employment of Algerians in France. According to him, circumstances have changed since the signing of this agreement 55 years ago.
It is noteworthy that the demands to reconsider the agreement with Algeria were the exact demand of the right, which pressed repeatedly for the amendment of immigration laws, adopting a discourse that fluctuated between patriotism and conspiracy theory. The far-right candidate for the last presidential race, Eric Zemour, had promised in his electoral program (based on the theory of the great substitution) to cancel the agreement, and in one of his speeches he demanded that Algeria stop “considering France as a bank for its demographic surplus.”
Immigration: @gerard_larcher prône la renégociation de l’accord franco-algerien de 1968.
“We also have 55 ans après, the conditions ont change, il faut le réexaminer”, est time the president du @Senat. #le7930inter pic.twitter.com/yGPwriastR
– France Inter (@franceinter) June 7, 2023
#French #politicians #racist #attack #Algeria #AlHiwar #AlJazaeryia
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