French Government Faces Crisis as Immigration Bill Defeated by United Opposition

In a significant blow to French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration, opposition parties, spanning from the far right to the far left and moderate factions, joined forces to defeat a crucial immigration bill. Members of Parliament voted on Monday to reject the draft law, with the left deeming its measures excessively repressive and the right arguing they lacked toughness.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, known for his hardline stance on immigration, offered to resign following the defeat, emphasising his strong support for the draft law. However, President Macron declined his resignation. The government contended that the bill aimed to control immigration while fostering better integration of migrants.

The proposed legislation sought to streamline the expulsion process for migrants sentenced to prison terms of five years or longer. Additionally, it aimed to impose stricter conditions for migrants to bring family members to France. While more lenient than a draft proposed by the right-leaning Senate, which would have curtailed migrants’ access to healthcare and benefits, the bill faced opposition from various quarters.

Before the vote, Minister Darmanin highlighted that the bill, if passed, would enable the government to deport “very dangerous” foreign nationals, including drug dealers. Despite these efforts, opposition MPs from diverse factions rallied behind a motion to reject the bill, dealing a blow to the government with 270 votes against 265.

Arthur Delaporte, an MP for the Socialist party, characterised the bill as “unjust, scandalous, and a threat to freedom,” declaring his party’s decision to vote against it. President Macron’s centrist Renaissance party lost its parliamentary majority in June 2022 elections, leading to frequent challenges in winning votes in parliament.

The government now faces the task of reconsidering the bill, possibly through redrafting or withdrawal. The measure used by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to pass laws without a vote is not applicable to clear this version, leaving the government in a precarious situation amid a divided political landscape.

Kiki Garba

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