Constitutional Reform for Successful Integration and Immigration Policies in France

“Without constitutional reform, there will be no real immigration policy and therefore no successful integration policy,” said Larche, who represents the conservative Republican Party.

While the government of President Emmanuel Macron is preparing its immigration law, the opposition Republican and national-conservative party “National Union” has been exerting pressure for several months, trying to achieve a referendum on immigration.

According to the constitution, referendums can currently only be held in France on issues relating to the “organisation of public power” and “reforms relating to the economic or social policy of the state and the public services that contribute to it”.

However, in order to implement the plans for submitting asylum requests outside of France, introducing immigration quotas or restricting family reunification, the constitution, which is allowed by Article 89 of the Basic Law, must be significantly amended, the chairman of the Senate said.

The Republicans also want to include a provision in the constitution that would provide for the possibility of renouncing the priority of European Union (EU) legal norms, if the basic interests of the country are at stake, added Larshe.

In an interview with “Le Figaro” newspaper already in the summer, Macron said that he would not give in to pressure from the right on immigration issues and opposed any amendments to the constitution.

“Any reform that takes us outside of Europe will be ineffective. This is a European problem, and we are not an island,” the president said.

“We have always been a country of immigration and we will remain so,” said the owner of the Elysée Palace.

Meanwhile, Larchet has warned Macron that if “the French continue to be deceived on this matter, we will open the door to the far right”.

The chairman of the Senate added that the president will have to face the consequences.

2023-09-04 19:34:00
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