France, April 28 -- Macron sparked the political row after taking aim at advocates of a tougher stance towards Algeria.

Speaking during a visit to a hospital in Lavelanet, southwestern France, on Monday, Macron dismissed calls to "fall out" with Algiers as the thinking of "nutcases" - prompting a sharp rebuttal from former interior minister Retailleau.

The leader of the conservative Republicans party - a contender for the 2027 presidential election - responded within hours, saying he felt directly targeted by the president's remarks.

In a statement, Retailleau accused Macron of using the issue of foreign doctors as a "false pretext" to dodge deeper tensions with Algeria - referring to an ongoing row over France's treatment of doct...