A general view shows the hemicycle during the questions to the government session at the National Assembly ahead of a vote by members of parliament on immigration bill in Paris, France, December 19, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
A deal to strengthen French immigration laws, agreed upon by a group of lawmakers on Tuesday, is causing fractures within President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist majority. Members of the left-wing of Macron’s party have announced their intention to vote against the deal, highlighting the challenges of balancing immigration policy within the party. The proposed legislation reflects a rightward shift in European politics, as governments aim to address the rise of far-right sentiments by adopting tougher immigration stances.
Initially intended as a carrot-and-stick approach, the legislation aimed to make it easier for migrants in labor-deficient sectors to obtain residency permits while facilitating the expulsion of illegal migrants. However, concessions were made to gain support from the right, leading to compromises on residency permits and delayed access to welfare benefits for non-EU migrants, including housing allowances and benefits for children.
An emergency meeting at the Elysée Palace between Macron, his prime minister, and coalition heads in parliament was held to address the internal dissent. The French government’s attempt to strike a balance between humanitarian considerations and addressing right-wing concerns has faced criticism, with some left-wing members viewing it as a betrayal of promises made to counter far-right ideas.
The legislation includes measures such as migration quotas, delayed access to welfare benefits for unemployed non-EU migrants, restrictions on immigrants’ children acquiring French citizenship, and potential loss of French citizenship for dual nationals convicted of serious crimes against the police. The compromise has sparked discontent within Macron’s party and could impact his political standing, especially ahead of European Parliament elections where immigration is expected to be a key issue.
The revised bill could also offer political leverage to Marine Le Pen and her far-right party, who announced their support for the legislation, causing embarrassment for the left-wing members of Macron’s party. The internal dissent could weaken Macron’s influence in parliament and complicate the remainder of his mandate.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne defended the bill in parliament, emphasizing its aim to make the immigration system more efficient and expedite the expulsion of criminal or radicalized foreigners. The legislation is part of Macron’s broader agenda but faces challenges due to internal divisions and conflicting political considerations.
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