France: Parliament Adopts Controversial Immigration Law

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Dec 20, 2023

Image copyright: Ameer Alhalbi/Getty Images News [via Getty Images]story last updated Dec 20, 2023

The Facts

The French parliament adopted a controversial new immigration bill backed by President Emmanuel Macron by a large majority late on Tuesday, despite major opposition in his party due to the law's support from the far right. The law previously passed the upper-house Senate.
The tightened immigration bill passed the National Assembly, the lower house, with the votes of the ruling centrist coalition and the conservatives, with 349 in favor and 186 against, meaning that it did not need the support of Marine Le Pen's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) to pass through.

The Spin

Narrative A

The amended bill is the most regressive immigration reform in 40 years and a slap in the face for migrants who have been living in France for decades. The bill could only be pushed through without the support of the far right because the governing coalition bowed to their key demands to save Macron's flagship project. With this discriminatory law, Macron is betraying France's liberal values, while Le Pen enjoys a major victory. Macron came into office promising to keep the radical right in check, but rather than weakening Le Pen, he is paving the way for her and maneuvering France into a new political crisis.

Le Monde.fr

Narrative B

The law is a balanced compromise with which the Macron government proved its ability to act in a difficult situation. What weakens the radical right the most is a government that faces up to present-day challenges and does not hesitate to take necessary measures in France's national interest. All the critics of the bill seem to ignore the fact that the government is the democratic representation of the people and that the French have spoken out in favor of tightening immigration laws. For Macron's government, the focus is on solutions, not on Le Pen's tactical maneuvers.