French Minister Proposes Ending 1968 Franco-Algerian Agreement, Modifying State Medical Aid Amid Tensions

Jan 19, 2025, 02:36 PM

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has announced plans to end the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement on the entry conditions for Algerian nationals into France, citing strained relations between the two countries. Speaking on BFMTV, Retailleau expressed that France has been humiliated by Algeria's actions, including the refusal of entry to an Algerian influencer and the imprisonment of a Franco-Algerian writer. He also stated that the government will modify the State Medical Aid (AME), which provides healthcare to foreigners without regular residency status in France, describing it as an 'encouragement to illegality.' Retailleau emphasized that changes to the AME would be addressed in the Social Security Financing Bill. Additionally, he supports the abolition of birthright citizenship in Mayotte, though he acknowledges the current political conditions are not favorable for such a change.