- December 21, 2023
French parliament okays divisive immigration bill – Times of India
PARIS: The French parliament approved a divisive immigration bill intended to strengthen France’s ability to deport foreigners considered undesirable, prompting a heated debate after the far-right backed the measure. The bill passed the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, with a 349-186 vote late on Tuesday. It had previously been voted by the Senate.
Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said the government wants “greater firmness against foreign offenders.” “Who here can say that we must allow criminals, people on our land, who attacks us, attack our professors and who attack our police forces and who attack the youth on the cafe terraces, without reacting?” he said in a speech at the National Assembly.
The bill still needs to be officially enacted into law.The vote comes after parliament members from President Macron’s centrist majority and the conservative party The Republicans found a compromise to allow the text to make its way through the complex legislative process. Macron’s government doesn’t have a majority in parliament. T he conservatives said the compromise text features provisions to reduce the number of migrants coming to France, notably by limiting foreigners’ access to social benefits. Many saw the negotiations as a sign of a shift to the right by Macron’s government. Health minister Aurelien Rousseau resigned to show his opposition.
Leftist politicians accused the centrists of pushing the law through with the support of the far-right. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally group, described the bill as an “ideological victory”.
Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said the government wants “greater firmness against foreign offenders.” “Who here can say that we must allow criminals, people on our land, who attacks us, attack our professors and who attack our police forces and who attack the youth on the cafe terraces, without reacting?” he said in a speech at the National Assembly.
The bill still needs to be officially enacted into law.The vote comes after parliament members from President Macron’s centrist majority and the conservative party The Republicans found a compromise to allow the text to make its way through the complex legislative process. Macron’s government doesn’t have a majority in parliament. T he conservatives said the compromise text features provisions to reduce the number of migrants coming to France, notably by limiting foreigners’ access to social benefits. Many saw the negotiations as a sign of a shift to the right by Macron’s government. Health minister Aurelien Rousseau resigned to show his opposition.
Leftist politicians accused the centrists of pushing the law through with the support of the far-right. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally group, described the bill as an “ideological victory”.
