France Passes Controversial Immigration Bill Despite Cracks in Centrist Majority
French lawmakers have given their final approval to a contentious bill that toughens rules for immigrants, marking a policy victory for President Emmanuel Macron. The bill, a compromise between Macron's party and the conservative opposition, reflects a rightward shift in European politics as governments attempt to address the rise of the far-right by adopting stricter immigration measures.
The legislation includes provisions to make it easier for migrants in labor-short sectors to obtain residency permits but also facilitates the expulsion of illegal migrants. To gain support from the right, the government diluted the residency permit measures and delayed migrants' access to welfare benefits by several years. The compromise introduces migration quotas, makes it more challenging for immigrants' children to become French, and allows dual nationals sentenced for serious crimes against the police to lose French citizenship.
While the bill's passage is a win for Macron, it exposes divisions within his centrist majority. The far-right's support for the bill, driven by a desire to restrict welfare benefits to French citizens only, has caused embarrassment for Macron's left-wing supporters. This move could potentially weaken Macron's hold on parliament and complicate the remainder of his mandate.
The bill's approval comes amid a broader trend in Europe, where several governments are adopting tougher immigration policies. In the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for global reforms to the asylum system, citing concerns about the growing number of refugees potentially overwhelming parts of Europe.
