France’s government insisted Tuesday it would implement tough measures against illegal migrants as it battled a political crisis following the rejection of its flagship immigration bill in the lower house of parliament. In a surprise move on Monday, members of the opposition joined forces in parliament’s National Assembly to vote down the controversial legislation without even debating it, sparking a political crisis. The rejection of one of the government’s flagship initiatives is a humiliating defeat for French President Emmanuel Macron who does not have a majority in parliament and comes amid a heated debate in society around immigration and security. Advocacy groups have criticised the bill which seeks to toughen the country’s immigration law, saying France relies on migrants including undocumented workers in a lot of industries. On Tuesday morning, Macron held a crisis meeting with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and key ministers at the Elysee, deciding to maintain its bid to pass the bill and send the legislation back to a parliamentary committee, the government said. As Macron’s government grows defiant following immigration bill rejection, FRANCE 24 is joined by Paul Smith, Associate Professor in French History and Politics at the University of Nottingham.
French Minister Darmanin ‘falls down middle’ on immigration after dancing to ‘two different tunes’
