Submit a comment
The French National Assembly has passed an immigration bill after several amendments, tightening immigration controls since the bill was first introduced.
On December 19, with 349 votes in favor and 186 votes against, the French National Assembly passed the Immigration Bill supported by President Emmanuel Macron's government.
Thus, the French National Assembly has passed the immigration bill after many amendments, thereby tightening immigration control measures since the first bill was submitted.
In this vote, the ruling Renaissance Party did not need the votes of Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party for the bill to pass.
Earlier, President Macron convened a meeting of the ruling party at the Elysee Palace; at the same time, he said he would submit the bill for review instead of promulgating it, if the document was only passed thanks to the support of the RN party.
There are many disagreements within the ruling party itself about the bill, with some ministers even threatening to resign on the grounds that the government had given in to pressure from the far-right.
Sources said Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau, Higher Education Minister Sylvie Retailleau and Housing Minister Patrice Vergriete met with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and warned they could resign if the bill passed. It is not yet clear whether the ministers will resign after the law is passed.
According to plan, Mr. Macron will give a television interview on December 20.
The passage of the law is crucial for Mr Macron, who cannot run for re-election in 2027 because he has already served two consecutive terms. He is even at risk of losing support in the final three years of his term. His government currently does not have a majority in parliament.
Dozens of NGOs have criticised this as the "most backward" immigration law in 40 years in terms of the rights and living conditions of foreigners, including those who have been in France for a long time.
