©(Ludovic Marin, AFP)
The adoption of the highly sensitive immigration bill in France, supported by President Emmanuel Macron, has triggered a significant division within his own majority, with notable support from the far right.
Following a complex 18-month process, the National Assembly passed the bill with 349 votes in favor and 186 against, highlighting a pronounced split within the presidential majority. The far-right's endorsement deepened this division, leading to opposition within the government, as Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau tendered his resignation.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne denied the existence of “any crisis within the majority,” emphasizing the law's alignment with national values. However, she acknowledged that certain measures in the text might be unconstitutional, expressing the likelihood of the text evolving after examination by the Constitutional Council, initiated by the President.
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/209401"]
The debate over the minimum residency duration for non-European foreigners to qualify for social benefits in France nearly disrupted negotiations. The compromise, established on Tuesday, differentiates between employed and unemployed foreigners. Regarding access to Personalized Housing Assistance (APL), a central point of contention, the residency requirement is set at five years for the unemployed and three months for the employed. Notably, these new restrictions do not apply to foreign students.
A protester opposes a controversial immigration law in Paris on December 19, 2023. The sign reads, “Against the law, we reject this society.” (Dimitar Dilkoff, AFP)
Despite reservations, the majority reluctantly accepted a more restrictive version than the initial bill, granting prefects discretionary power to regularize undocumented workers in occupations deemed in tension. The presidential camp achieved success in one aspect, allowing undocumented workers to apply for a residence permit without employer approval.
However, a crisis has now emerged within the president's camp. A minister expressed discomfort with the outcome, particularly the National Rally's (RN) favorable vote. The far-right party's support for the bill, emphasizing the concept of “national preference,” is seen as a significant challenge for the majority, characterized as a “kiss of death” by a lawmaker from the Renaissance party, a Macronist from the early days.
Miroslava Salazar, with AFP
Following a complex 18-month process, the National Assembly passed the bill with 349 votes in favor and 186 against, highlighting a pronounced split within the presidential majority. The far-right's endorsement deepened this division, leading to opposition within the government, as Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau tendered his resignation.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne denied the existence of “any crisis within the majority,” emphasizing the law's alignment with national values. However, she acknowledged that certain measures in the text might be unconstitutional, expressing the likelihood of the text evolving after examination by the Constitutional Council, initiated by the President.
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/209401"]
The debate over the minimum residency duration for non-European foreigners to qualify for social benefits in France nearly disrupted negotiations. The compromise, established on Tuesday, differentiates between employed and unemployed foreigners. Regarding access to Personalized Housing Assistance (APL), a central point of contention, the residency requirement is set at five years for the unemployed and three months for the employed. Notably, these new restrictions do not apply to foreign students.
A protester opposes a controversial immigration law in Paris on December 19, 2023. The sign reads, “Against the law, we reject this society.” (Dimitar Dilkoff, AFP)Despite reservations, the majority reluctantly accepted a more restrictive version than the initial bill, granting prefects discretionary power to regularize undocumented workers in occupations deemed in tension. The presidential camp achieved success in one aspect, allowing undocumented workers to apply for a residence permit without employer approval.
However, a crisis has now emerged within the president's camp. A minister expressed discomfort with the outcome, particularly the National Rally's (RN) favorable vote. The far-right party's support for the bill, emphasizing the concept of “national preference,” is seen as a significant challenge for the majority, characterized as a “kiss of death” by a lawmaker from the Renaissance party, a Macronist from the early days.
Miroslava Salazar, with AFP
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