French Parliament Withdraws Resolution Targeting 1968 Franco-Algerian Immigration Agreement Amid Boualem Sansal Case

On Thursday, June 26, the French National Assembly witnessed a dramatic turn of events. A resolution aiming to denounce the 1968 Franco-Algerian immigration agreement, proposed by Éric Ciotti’s UDR group, was unexpectedly withdrawn just before a likely adoption.

The proposal sought to tighten legal measures limiting visa issuance to Algerian nationals, reflecting rising tensions in Franco-Algerian relations.

However, the decision to pull the resolution appears closely linked to the ongoing trial of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in Algiers, where prosecutors are demanding a 10-year prison sentence. Sansal’s case has become a flashpoint in the already strained diplomatic ties between France and Algeria.

Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, praised the parliamentarians’ “spirit of responsibility” in withdrawing the text. He emphasized the importance of avoiding any escalation that could undermine diplomatic efforts to secure Sansal’s immediate release.

This initiative comes less than a year after a similar resolution was rejected in December 2023. This time, the gravity of Sansal’s case played a decisive role in the decision to step back.

Beyond politics and law, the withdrawal underscores how deeply human and cultural issues remain at the core of the complex relationship between France and Algeria.