France’s new government sets sights on right-wing migration policy
The Barnier government is dominated by conservatives and centrists and lacks the majority in parliament necessary to pass new legislation
France’s new government is set to take a hardline approach to migration issues as key officials have pledged to significantly reduce the number of people entering and staying illegally in the country.
After calling for snap legislative elections in June, President Emmanuel Macron appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a veteran conservative from The Republicans party, hoping the Brexit negotiator would work with the divided legislature to end the political turmoil that has upended French politics in recent months.
The Barnier government – dominated by conservatives and centrists – does not have a majority in parliament and efforts to pass any new legislation are bound to be fought, and potentially blocked. The National Assembly is now split between three major political blocs: the left-wing New Popular Front leftist coalition, Macron’s centrist allies – who made a deal with the conservatives – and the far-right National Rally party, the largest single party in the new assembly.
The new prime minister will outline his priorities in a general policy speech scheduled for Tuesday at the National Assembly.
In recent televised interviews, Barnier criticised French borders as “sieves” and expressed concern that “migratory flows” were “not under control.” He promised to “limit immigration,” citing measures taken by neighbouring countries like Germany, which expanded controls at all land borders earlier this month.
Critics have denounced Barnier’s government immigration stance as strongly influenced by the National Rally’s proposals, as its survival depends on the party’s goodwill.
