Emmanuel Macron's government in crisis after migration bill defeat

French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration is facing a crisis as opposition parties, spanning the far right, far left, and moderates, joined forces to defeat a crucial immigration bill. The rejection occurred on Monday when Members of Parliament (MPs) from diverse political spectrums voted against the proposed legislation. The left argued that the measures were excessively repressive, while the right contended that they lacked sufficient toughness.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, known for his tough stance on immigration, offered to resign, a move declined by President Macron. The government had advocated that the bill aimed to manage immigration effectively and enhance the integration of migrants. Among its provisions, the bill would have facilitated the expulsion of migrants sentenced to prison terms of five years or more and imposed stricter conditions for family reunification in France.

Despite being less stringent than an alternative draft from the Senate, dominated by the right, the bill faced opposition from various factions. The Senate’s proposal had proposed severe restrictions on healthcare and benefits for migrants. Minister Darmanin, prior to the vote, asserted that the bill, if passed, would enable the government to deport “very dangerous” foreign nationals, including drug dealers.

Efforts to garner support from opposition MPs failed, as disparate factions, including MPs from the far-right National Rally, far-left France Unbowed, right-wing Republicans, and smaller parties, coalesced to defeat the government by a narrow margin of 270 votes to 265.

Before the vote, Arthur Delaporte, an MP for the Socialist party, labeled the bill as “unjust, scandalous, and a threat to freedom,” signaling his party’s opposition. President Macron’s centrist Renaissance party lost its parliamentary majority in June 2022 elections, leading to frequent challenges in winning parliamentary votes.

With the defeat, the government now plans to redraft the bill, as the measure used by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to pass laws without a vote cannot be employed for this version.