French Interior Minister Urged to Resign After Deadly Terror Attack

(TJV) Following a deadly Islamist terror attack in Mulhouse on Saturday, National Rally leader Jordan Bardella has called for the resignation of French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. The attack, carried out by a 37-year-old Algerian national with a known history of radicalization, claimed the life of one individual and left multiple police officers injured.

Authorities confirmed that the attacker, who was listed on France’s radicalization prevention watchlist (FSPRT), launched a knife assault near a demonstration supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo, currently facing unrest from the M23 rebel movement.

Among the victims was 69-year-old Portuguese citizen Lino Sousa Loureiro, who was fatally stabbed while attempting to intervene. Two municipal police officers suffered severe injuries—one stabbed in the carotid artery, the other in the throat—while three additional officers were also wounded.

Despite being under judicial supervision and house arrest with an order to leave France (OQTF), the attacker remained in the country due to Algeria’s refusal to accept his deportation. He had previously been arrested in November 2023 for “apology for terrorism” and sentenced to six months in prison, only to be released early.

Retailleau criticized Algeria for obstructing deportation efforts, stating, “Once again, Islamist terrorism has struck, and once again, migration failures are at the root of this attack.” He revealed that France had repeatedly requested a consular pass to deport the suspect, but Algeria declined to issue one.

Bardella condemned the French government’s handling of radical Islamist threats, arguing that authorities consistently fail to expel known extremists. “Each time, it’s the same individuals, the same profiles—people monitored for their links to Islamist fundamentalism, yet they are not removed from French territory,” he said, demanding that Retailleau take decisive action or step down.

The attack has reignited debate over France’s immigration policies, with French MEP Marion Maréchal, niece of Marine Le Pen, asserting that “the Algerian government has French blood on its hands.” She called for immediate steps, including suspending all visa agreements with Algeria.

In response, the French government announced an interministerial meeting on immigration control scheduled for Wednesday to address deportation challenges and national security concerns.

Retailleau stressed the need for a firmer diplomatic stance with Algeria, insisting that France must establish a new “balance of power” in its negotiations.