French MPs adopt resolution calling for abrogation of 1968 France-Algeria migration Agreement

France’s National Assembly on Thursday Oct. 30 adopted a resolution calling on the
government to repeal the controversial 1968 agreement with Algiers that facilitates
Algerian immigration to France.

The text, tabled by the far-right National Rally (RN) was narrowly approved by 185 votes to
184. It is the first legislative victory for Marine Le Pen’s party. The non-bidding
resolution calls for ending what RN lawmakers described as a “special immigration
regime” granting Algerian nationals preferential rights for residence, employment,
and social benefits in France.

RN deputy Guillaume Bigot, who introduced the text, denounced the deal as “an
extremely exceptional regime”, calling for equal treatment for all foreigners in France
regardless of their origin.

“Imagine a contract where you owe everything and your partner owes you nothing,
yet you continue to respect it,” Bigot said during the debate.

The resolution gained support from MPs belonging to the center-right Les
Republicains (LR) and Horizons, the party of former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe,
both of whom back ending the treaty.

While President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist government have resisted calls to
terminate the 1968 accord, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal had earlier expressed
support for its revision, citing “incessant provocations” from Algiers.

The vote comes amid heightened Franco-Algerian tensions following the Algerian
regime refusal to accept its deported nationals who committed crimes in France.

The 1968 agreement, which was signed six years after the end of the Algerian war
of independence, aimed to facilitate post-independence labor migration. But it has
long been criticized by the majority of French nationals.

At the time, France was in need of foreign labour to support its economy. The
agreement allows for Algerians and their families to obtain French residency permits
issued to other foreigners after long procedure.

Algerians are also allowed to set up as freelancers or start their own businesses
without the extra formalities imposed to other foreigners. During the recent years,
the agreement’s lack of equality and its financial cost to France have prompted
widespread popular anger and discontent as the accord costs French taxpayers at
least €2 billion a year.