The outrage in the Algerian leadership has not subsided even after two weeks.

The state-owned Algerian oil and gas company Sonatrach has now threatened Spain with a "recalculation" of the gas price.

The North African country has been the most important supplier for the Spanish market for years.

After the war in Ukraine broke out, the government in Madrid recommended Algeria to the other Europeans as a reliable business partner that could help reduce dependence on Russian natural gas in the longer term.

Hans Christian Roessler

Political correspondent for the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb based in Madrid.

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But even in Algiers, it's not just about money, political considerations play a role in trade relations - especially when it comes to the Western Sahara conflict, in which the Spanish government has made a dramatic about-face: In order to end the diplomatic crisis with Morocco, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez revoked Spanish neutrality after more than 40 years.

He called the Moroccan autonomy plan for the former Spanish colony the "most serious, realistic and credible basis for a solution to the conflict".

In doing so, Spain indirectly recognized that Western Sahara is and will remain a part of Morocco.

From the perspective of Algeria, the protector of the Polisario Front fighting for Western Sahara's independence, this was a "betrayal" that could potentially cost Spain dearly in the midst of the Ukraine war.

Now Sonatrach boss Toufik Hakkar spoke up via the Algerian state news agency APS.

First he reassured the other European customers.

“Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, gas and oil prices have skyrocketed.

Algeria has decided to keep the relatively correct contract prices for all its customers.

However, it cannot be ruled out that we will recalculate prices with our Spanish customer,” CEO Toufik Hakkar said.

According to Spanish press reports, regular talks about updating the price are currently underway with the Spanish importer Naturgy, who praises the good relations with Algiers.

For Madrid, Morocco is a priority

About 40 percent of Spain's natural gas comes from Algeria, most of which is delivered via a pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea.

Italy, which is supplied via a line via Tunisia, is now the most important European buyer of the North African country, in which interest has been growing since the outbreak of war.

People in Algiers are also aware of this.

At the moment, the Russian gas cannot be replaced, said Sonatrach boss Hakkar, "but given the pace of our exploration, our capacities will double within four years, which opens up promising prospects for our European customers".

The chances that Spain will benefit from this have worsened for the time being.

On March 19, Algiers recalled its ambassador from Madrid.

The Spanish company Iberia was not included in the new flight permits to Algeria.

According to press reports, Algeria has also suspended the repatriation of illegal migrants, who are coming to Spain in increasing numbers.

The Spanish government had not expected such a violent reaction.

In Madrid, restoring relations with Morocco, a key partner in the fight against illegal migration, was a priority.

After 15 months of diplomatic deadlock, even the Moroccan king came to the aid of the Spanish prime minister, who is also being heavily criticized at home for his new Western Sahara policy.

Mohammed VI

invited Sánchez to Morocco “in the very near future”.

A trip by the Spanish foreign minister planned for Friday was then canceled.

The monarch supposedly wants to seal the beginning of a "new stage" together with Sánchez in the next few days.

The visit will take place during Ramadan and Sánchez could attend an iftar, the evening breaking of the fast, which is considered a special honour.