French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Wednesday that Paris has not set a 'target' for the number of visas granted to Algerians and that it shows 'no leniency', following statements by the French ambassador about working to increase the number of visas that sparked widespread controversy in France, according to the French Press Agency.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said that 'the President of the Republic was keen to correct the statements made by our ambassador to Algeria that were widely circulated in recent days, particularly regarding the number of visas'.

She added, quoting Macron: 'France has embarked on a demanding process regarding major issues and topics with Algeria, however there are no numerical targets for visas, and there is no leniency on the part of France'.

In an interview with the media outlet 'Everything About Algeria' (TSA), French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet spoke of an 'increase' in the number of visas granted to Algerians with the aim of 'likely returning' to pre-crisis levels, when the number was 250,000 visas per year, sparking a wave of discontent among the right and far-right in France.

National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella denounced what he called 'submission', while Bruno Retailleau, the presidential candidate for the Republicans party, described it as 'concession', as Paris seeks to establish calmer relations with Algeria following a series of tensions.

The French government spokesperson added that since his election in 2017, Macron had 'made a decision to reduce these numbers to align with France's needs on one hand, and the geopolitical reality on the other', noting that 500,000 visas were being issued annually at that time.

For his part, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said: 'I participated in discussions with Algeria, and we never delved into this topic'.