French President Emmanuel Macron, having secured a law on immigration, now faces accusations of losing his political soul. A tumultuous day in French politics witnessed what's dubbed the "kiss of death" from Marine Le Pen's hard-right faction to Macron's party. The original immigration reform, unable to navigate parliament smoothly, succumbed to tougher changes imposed by the mainstream right. For Macron's centrist Renaissance party, swallowing these hard-line amendments was challenging. However, the true blow came as Le Pen unexpectedly endorsed the tougher version, claiming it as an "ideological victory" that aligns with her party's goal of "national preference.
The amended law introduces significant changes, conditioning several benefits on a foreigner's five-year residence, slightly diluting automatic citizenship for those born in France, and mandating parliament to set annual immigration quotas. Le Pen's directive for her deputies to support the tougher text amounted to a political "kiss of death" for Macron, causing discomfort among his party members.
While the amended law was a product of collaboration between Macron's center and the right-wing Republicans, the symbolic weight of Le Pen's endorsement carries significance. Passing a law with far-right support proved embarrassing for Macron's MPs, causing ongoing discomfort as they grapple with the implications of this unexpected political alliance.
The passage of the controversial immigration reform in France has ignited a political storm, leaving President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist Renaissance party grappling with internal dissent. A quarter of deputies from Renaissance and its allies refused to support the bill, fearing the perception of aligning with the hard-right. The fallout included a minister's resignation, while Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, originally a Socialist, is attempting to maintain composure amid evident unease.
The left and hard left seized the moment to criticize the legislation vehemently. Manon Aubry of France Unbowed labeled it the "most xenophobic in French history," and Yannick Jadot of the Greens accused it of heralding the arrival of "Trumpism" in France. This resounding condemnation places President Macron in a precarious position, compelled to acknowledge that his party's legislative viability hinges on forming alliances with the right, a move that challenges his once-prized "at-the-same-time" political creed.
The episode marks the demise of Macron's envisioned political style, where he sought to transcend traditional political boundaries. While initially successful, his failure to secure a working majority in parliament last year now forces him to choose sides, and that side is the right. The immigration battle has not only exposed internal fault lines but also raises questions about the sustainability of Macron's unique political approach in the face of evolving challenges.
The tumultuous passage of the controversial immigration reform in France signals a pivotal moment for President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist Renaissance party. Internal dissent, a minister's resignation, and accusations of aligning with the hard-right have left Macron at a crossroads, challenging the very essence of his "at-the-same-time" political creed.
Facing staunch criticism from the left and hard left, Macron finds himself grappling with the fallout of an unexpected alliance with the right. The once-fluid and innovative political style that allowed him to navigate both sides of the political spectrum now appears strained and at odds with the evolving political landscape.
The episode underscores the challenges of Macron's initial failure to secure a working majority in parliament last year. In the quest to get things done, he has been compelled to choose a side, a move that undermines the centrist vision he championed. As Macron and his party confront the aftermath of the immigration battle, questions loom about the sustainability of their unique political approach and the potential reshaping of France's political landscape in the wake of this ideological shift.