France passes controversial immigration bill

Lawmakers in the French parliament passed legislation on Tuesday that will bring in stricter controls on migration.

President Emmanuel Macron had been facing a rebellion from within his party after the bill won support from the far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen.

But in the end, it passed through the lower house with votes from Macron's centrist coalition and conservative lawmakers.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin — who had spearheaded the bill — expressed relief after a large majority voted in favor, meaning it no longer depended on the support from those far-right lawmakers. 

The subject of immigration is a major political plank for the upcoming parliamentary elections. While the passing of the bill would have favored Macron, the support shown by Le Pen — who called the stricter bill "a great ideological victory" for the far right — can also improve her chances in the elections.

Several left-wing ministers have voiced opposition to the bill, and Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau has resigned in protest against the tightening of immigration legislation. Rousseau had only held the post for five months.

What does the new immigration law entail?

Ever since the bill was first submitted, it has seen various amendments toughening the immigration rules, with the left accusing the government of giving in to the pressure from the far right.

To make the legislation more agreeable for the right, the government decided to weaken measures that would have allowed some immigrants residency permits. The government also agreed to extend the duration of stay in France for migrants to be eligible to access welfare benefits.

With the new legislation, access to housing benefits will be also be delayed for unemployed non-EU migrants by five years.

In order to gain the support of the right, the government has also introduced migration quotas which will make it more difficult for immigrants' children to become French.

While now it will be easier for migrants working in sectors that lack labour to get a residency permit, it will also be easier to expel illegal migrants.

Macron to have the law checked

Prime Minister Borne said that Macron would be submitting the law to the Consitutional Council for review, as the government had some misgivings regarding the consitutionality of some points in the legislation.

The body is effectively France's constitutional court, it examines whether a law is in accordance with the French constitution before it goes into effect, or whether it needs amendment.

The decision has to be made within 30 days, or in urgent cases within eight days. If Macron appeals to the Constitutional Council before Christmas, it should be clear in January whether he can bring the law into force in its current form or whether it needs to be amended. 

mfi/ab (AFP, Reuters)