Tough migration law passes parliament in Paris
With the approval of the right-wing populists, the Macron government is pushing a new, stricter migration law through the French parliament. The concessions to Le Pen in particular are causing great resentment in his own camp.
The French parliament has approved the controversial new immigration law. In Paris, the Senate and the National Assembly voted one after the other in favor of the bill drafted by the mediation committee. In addition to the majority of President Emmanuel Macron's camp, the conservative Republicans and Marine Le Pen's right-wing populist Rassemblement National party also voted in favor of the compromise bill. The left-wing opposition parties voted against.
According to the latest compromise, non-European foreigners will only be entitled to housing benefit after five years of residence in France. Exceptions are made for migrants who work, as well as for students and recognized asylum seekers. This point had been particularly controversial until recently. There was a majority of 214 to 114 votes in the predominantly conservative Senate. In the National Assembly late in the evening, 349 MPs voted in favor of the bill and 186 against.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin welcomed the passing of the law. "A long struggle to better integrate foreigners and deport those who commit criminal acts," Darmanin wrote on X. It is a "strong" law. The right-wing populist Le Pen had previously spoken of an "ideological victory" for her party. "Now the 'national preference', i.e. the preference of French people over foreigners for certain social benefits, is finally law".
Compromise divides Macron camp
Head of government Elisabeth Borne had previously promised the right-wing camp a reform of medical care for migrants without the right to stay. The right-wing opposition had wanted to replace medical care for migrants with emergency assistance only. The government rejected this, but then promised a revision at the beginning of 2024.
Last week, the National Assembly surprisingly rejected a text on the immigration law that had been tightened up by the Senate. President Macron then called on the members of the conciliation committee to agree on an "intelligent compromise".
Macron had originally set the goal of passing a "balanced" immigration law that would both facilitate the deportation of rejected asylum seekers and promote the integration of working migrants. However, the right-wing majority in the Senate overturned a key article, according to which migrants should be granted the right to stay if they work in sectors with staff shortages. Several of Macron's MPs voted against the bill.
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The approval of the new immigration law in France has seen support from Emmanuel Macron's government, conservative Republicans, and Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National party. This move, while aimed at addressing migration issues, has sparked significant controversy and resentment within Macron's own camp.
The passing of the stricter migration law in Paris has been hailed as an "ideological victory" by Marine Le Pen, further solidifying her position within the right-wing populist movement in France.
Source: www.ntv.de
