French lawmakers’ passage of an immigration law that could have a devastating impact on the rights of migrants and asylum seekers has sparked a crisis within the ruling party, reads the monthly report for December of the British independent human rights organization CAGE, Report informs.
“The first version presented by the presidential coalition and spearheaded by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin was rejected by the National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) - chiefly by the right-wing Les Republicains and the far-right. This political defeat substantially reduced Darmanin’s hopes of becoming President in 2027, as its political legitimacy received a decisive blow. The final draft included the reforms Les Republicains and the National Rally requested. The adoption was made possible thanks to their decisive votes,” reads the report.
“Marine Le Pen labelled the Law as an “ideological victory” for her movement, as the text institutionalizes “national preference” to access the Welfare State. The adoption has initiated a political crisis amongst Macron’s own party, as some Ministers resigned.”
The bill involves simplifying the deportation of illegal migrants and introducing migration quotas. The conditions for receiving some social benefits have been tightened - now unemployed migrants from countries outside the EU will be able to count on them no earlier than after five years of stay in France.