Bardella to Algeria: ‘We Gave You Your Independence — Now Give Us Back Ours’

Reflecto News | France-Algeria Relations | Immigration & Politics

PARIS — Jordan Bardella, president of France’s National Rally party, has issued a forceful demand to the Algerian government, asserting that France granted Algeria its independence and must now be treated as an equal partner — while demanding that Algeria accept the return of its nationals who are residing illegally in France.

Speaking to reporters, Bardella framed the relationship between the two countries as one of “historical resentment” and “grievance” on Algeria’s part, which he argued must be replaced by a relationship of mutual respect and practical cooperation on migration.

“I want the Algerian regime — which lives partly on historical resentment and a kind of grievance toward France — to understand that we gave Algeria its independence, and that it must now give us back ours. Tomorrow, within the framework of a relationship of equals, we will go to the Algerian authorities not only to demand an end to provocations, but also to require that Algeria accept the return of its nationals who have no right to stay on French soil.”
— Jordan Bardella, President of France’s National Rally

Bardella’s language — “we gave Algeria its independence” — is a direct reference to the Évian Accords of 1962, which ended the Algerian War and granted Algeria sovereignty after 132 years of French colonial rule. His demand that Algeria “give us back ours” is a rhetorical formulation arguing that France must reclaim its full sovereignty over immigration policy, unconstrained by post-colonial obligations or sensitivities.

Bardella’s demand that Algeria “accept the return of its nationals” is a longstanding policy goal of France’s political right, but one that has often been frustrated by Algeria’s refusal to issue the laissez-passer (travel documents) required for deportations. Under French law, foreign nationals cannot be expelled if their country of origin refuses to accept them.

Bardella also used the phrase “end to provocations” — a reference to incidents that France has interpreted as hostile acts by Algerian authorities, including the January 2025 detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. Sansal, a critic of the Algerian regime who holds French citizenship, was arrested upon arrival in Algiers and remains in detention.

Bardella’s remarks are part of a broader rightward shift in French immigration discourse. The National Rally has long called for a “national priority” system that would limit access to jobs, housing, and benefits to French citizens. Bardella’s demand for Algeria to take back its nationals is consistent with that platform.

The timing is also significant. With a presidential election scheduled for 2027, Bardella is positioning himself as the candidate who will not hesitate to confront Algeria over migration — offering a sharp contrast to President Emmanuel Macron, who has attempted to balance firmness with diplomatic engagement.

Algeria has not yet responded to Bardella’s remarks. Previous French demands for increased repatriation cooperation have been met with resistance; Algerian officials have accused France of “colonial arrogance” and insisted that deportation policies must be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

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