Political upheaval over immigration: Tensions and crises within the ruling party
At the National Assembly
A pall of dismay hung over the National Assembly this Tuesday morning, where disarray was evident on the faces of the left-wing representatives. Members of the left parties, ranging from the Insoumis to the ecologists, including communists and socialists, bore grim expressions in the corridors of the Palais Bourbon. The atmosphere starkly contrasted with the euphoria of December 11th, when the majority had delivered a snub to Gérald Darmanin with a motion to reject.
In just one week’s time, the Joint Committee, comprising seven deputies and seven senators, embraced a substantially tougher version of the government’s immigration bill. This “compromise” document, concluded late in the day, was lauded not only by The Republicans but also met with a certain satisfaction by the National Rally, deepening a profound and heightened political crisis within the presidential camp.
A turning point in immigration policy
The adoption of annual quotas set by Parliament, the re-establishment of a crime for irregular stay, stricter criteria for the regularization of undocumented workers overseen by prefects, and the forthcoming reform of the State Medical Aid (AME) – these aspects of the bill were quick to mirror decisions made by the right-dominated Senate in mid-November. Even Olivier Marleix, not prone to effusiveness, openly welcomed the press to a “true turning point,” indicating the return of a right-wing aligned with Charles Pasqua.
The left, having witnessed the majority’s about-face on immigration, did not hide their dismay. For Mathilde Panot, leader of the Insoumis group, this immigration law should be relegated to the annals of history due to the risks it poses. Christine Pires-Beaune, a member of parliament and spokesperson for the PS group, echoed a similar sentiment, accusing the government of caving in to right-wing pressure and capitulating to the National Rally.
Dissension at the heart of power
Faced with sharp questioning during the Questions to the Government session, Gérald Darmanin responded with a hint of acidity, pointing out the contradictions of the Nupes and their opportunistic cooperation with the National Rally during the rejection motion. While Marine Le Pen proclaimed a “real ideological victory”, citing the inclusion of national priority in the law, concerns have been raised about the impact on certain social benefits leading to a differentiation between foreigners and French citizens.
The National Rally’s approval sounded like a kiss of death for the government, which was immediately shaken by other surprising announcements. The president of the MoDem group, Jean-Paul Mattei, the president of the Law Commission, Sacha Houlié, and a series of deputies expressed their opposition to the text. Cabinet members such as Aurélien Rousseau, Sylvie Retailleau, and Patrice Vergriete even hinted at their resignation.
In this climate of a majority on the brink of rupture, as Élisabeth Borne seemed to be losing her grip, Emmanuel Macron decided to intervene. The president organized an emergency meeting with the parliamentary majority at the Élysée. The Senate approved the text by the end of the day, while a concerning vote at the Assembly was scheduled for 9:30 pm.
The coming days will determine whether the current divisions within the majority will lead to a deep governmental crisis or if a semblance of unity will prevail to navigate through the stormy waters of immigration policy.
