The French parliament approved stricter immigration legislation following extensive political debates.
The revised bill gained support from President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN), causing internal divides within Macron’s party.
The contentious vote led to Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau announcing his resignation, further fueling criticism from left-wing parties.
The revised bill, tougher than its predecessor, made it harder for migrants to reunite with family in France and delayed their access to welfare benefits.
Notably, it prohibited detaining minors in detention centers.
Right-wing parties embraced the tougher provisions, with Marine Le Pen considering it an “ideological victory” and Eric Ciotti of the Republican party hailing it as “firm and courageous.”
However, left-wing voices accused Macron of pandering to the far-right, with Socialist leader Olivier Faure condemning those who “betrayed their convictions.”
The French vote coincided with an EU agreement aimed at overhauling the asylum system across the 27 member states.
This new pact facilitates the relocation of asylum seekers from high-arrival southern states to other countries, alongside the creation of border detention centers and expedited deportations for rejected asylum seekers.
The passage of the French legislation highlighted divisions within Macron’s alliance, with a significant number of MPs voting against or abstaining.
Health Minister Rousseau cited discomfort with certain measures and intended to step down in protest, signaling potential unrest within the government.
The government defended the bill’s passage, highlighting its majority and planned consultation with the Constitutional Council regarding potential constitutional issues.
Despite this, human rights groups criticized the reform as a severe setback in France’s immigration laws.
Since losing its parliamentary majority in June 2022, Macron’s government has encountered challenges securing votes, leading to internal rifts and struggles in pushing through legislation.
Source-BBC
