Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Rally (RN) party, called for severe retaliatory measures against Algeria and other countries refusing to take back their nationals living illegally in France during an interview with TF1 on Wednesday.
Taking a leaf out of US President Donald Trump’s threats and sanctions toward US allies refusing to take back their nationals, Le Pen proposed cutting financial transfers and suspending visa issuances, including for government officials, to pressure Algeria as well as other uncooperative nations.
“With Algeria, and all countries that refuse to take back their illegal migrants, I would do exactly what Donald Trump did with Colombia,” she said.
Avec l’Algérie, et tous les pays qui refusent de reprendre leurs clandestins, je ferais exactement ce qu’a fait Donald Trump avec la Colombie.
Il y a des mesures de rétorsion à mettre en place : plus aucun transfert d’argent, plus un seul visa, y compris pour les dirigeants. pic.twitter.com/2OfBEnPT3f
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) January 29, 2025
She criticized Algeria’s leadership, stating, “Algeria has a people who are sacrificed, a youth with no future. It’s the fault of Algerian leaders, not France.” Le Pen also rejected any French responsibility for Algeria’s current situation, adding, “France bears no responsibility, and, unlike some, I will not give in to repentance.”
Le Pen has taken similar positions in the past on illegal immigration. In March 2019, she urged the French government to suspend visas for Algerians, citing concerns over a potential “migrant influx” amid political instability in Algeria. In July 2018, she suggested linking visa issuances and money transfers to Algeria’s cooperation in taking back its nationals deemed “undesirable” in France.
During her 2022 presidential campaign, Le Pen reiterated her proposal to condition visas on Algeria’s acceptance of irregular migrants, criticizing Algeria’s “strong reluctance” to cooperate. Her proposals reflect the RN’s broader strategy to tighten France’s migration policies, particularly toward countries seen as uncooperative.
The French government, led by the newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou, has recently considered linking visa issuances for Algerians to the acquisition of consular passes. This approach has sparked debate within French political circles, with some viewing it as a necessary response to Algeria’s perceived lack of cooperation.