The immigration law, the adoption of which caused a crisis in France among the majority government, is “a shield that was needed” for the country, President Emmanuel Macron defended this Wednesday, rejecting that the text is inspired by far-right principles.
“When we govern, we have responsibilities, and these responsibilities bind us. We must take responsibility for what was done in the past and we must also calm the spirits”Macron said in statements to the France 5 television channel.
The French head of state also believed that the deposit required by the immigration law approved on Tuesday evening from foreign students “is not a good idea”, but that the provisions he does not like “do not justify blocking everything”.
“To be honest, it’s not a good idea (…), because I think we need to continue to attract the talents of students from all over the world”he explained.
But “The text adopted is a text that is still useful [e] the provisions that were accepted, even though I did not like them, would not justify blocking everything”said Macron.
To prevent the French far-right National Union party from coming to power, “it is necessary to solve the problems that fuel it”he claimed, emphasizing that this immigration law “very clearly” aims to discourage the entry of illegal immigrants into the country.
There is “an immigration problem” in France, the French head of state said, although he stressed that he does not believe the country is “overwhelmed by immigration”.
After months of tense legislative disputes, parliament on Tuesday finally approved the immigration law, which significantly tightens the conditions for the admission of foreign nationals to France.
The approval of this bill, with votes in favor of Marine Le Pen’s far right, which claimed an “ideological victory”, caused a break in the presidential majority, leading to the resignation of a minister.
Source: DN
