France passes controversial immigration bill amid deep division in Macron’s party
The French government is facing a political crisis after the health minister Aurélien Rousseau offered his resignation in protest over a hardline immigration bill. Emmanuel Macron’s ruling centrist party was divided and soul-searching on Wednesday after a strict new immigration law was approved by parliament but contained so many hardline measures that the far-right Marine Le Pen claimed it as an “ideological victory” for her own anti-immigration platform.
French Health Minister Resigns in Protest Against Immigration Bill
The French government is currently in turmoil as Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau has offered his resignation as a protest against a hardline immigration bill. This move has sparked division and soul-searching within Emmanuel Macron’s ruling centrist party.
The controversial immigration law was approved by parliament despite containing numerous hardline measures. In fact, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally viewed it as an “ideological victory” for her anti-immigration platform.
Rousseau tendered his resignation immediately after the bill was approved, but Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has not yet confirmed whether or not she will accept it. It remains uncertain if other ministers will also offer to resign as a result.
Background and Divisions within Macron’s Centrist Party
Originally, the immigration bill aimed to demonstrate that Macron could take tough action on migration while still welcoming foreign workers who could benefit the struggling sectors of the economy. However, due to the refusal of opposition parties to discuss the bill in parliament, a compromise text was drafted by a special parliamentary committee.
This led to a significantly tougher bill being proposed by the centrist government, adopting a more right-wing stance. The bill includes measures such as restricting welfare benefits for foreigners, imposing stricter rules on foreign students, introducing migration quotas, making it harder for non-nationals born in France to gain French citizenship, and allowing dual nationals convicted of serious crimes against the police to potentially lose French citizenship.
Within Macron’s own centrist party, a considerable number of parliament members voted against the bill or abstained from voting. This highlighted deep divisions, particularly among the left wing of Macron’s party.
Controversy and Reactions to the Immigration Bill
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, expressed her party's support for the bill, considering it an “ideological victory”. Some MPs from the far-right also voted in favor of the bill.
Critics argue that the bill reflects the far-right's stance on immigration, with provisions resembling the concept of “national preference” which prioritizes benefits and housing for French citizens. Opposition politicians on the left accused Macron of betraying his voters by implementing far-right ideas.
Various groups, including the French Human Rights League, condemned the bill for its regressive impact on the rights and living conditions of foreigners in France. However, the government defended the bill, claiming it also includes measures to regularize undocumented workers in sectors facing labor shortages.
