Darmanin in Algiers: France Wrestles Over Its Policy Toward Algeria

On the day of France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin's visit to Algeria, the domestic political debate in Paris over how to deal with the North African neighbor is intensifying. While President Emmanuel Macron's government is pursuing a cautious rapprochement, the Rassemblement National (RN) is calling for a fundamental change of course – away from diplomatic restraint and toward a policy of toughness and clear counter-demands. The trigger for the new controversy are remarks by RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli, who sharply attacked France's Algeria policy. France has pursued for years a ...