France’s newly formed government under Prime Minister Michel Barnier has pledged to adopt a more stringent stance on migration. With President Emmanuel Macron calling for snap legislative elections in June, Barnier, a veteran conservative and former Brexit negotiator, was appointed in the hopes of stabilizing the divided legislature. However, with parliament split across multiple political blocs, passing controversial migration reforms could become a tumultuous process.
Barnier’s appointment comes during a politically charged period for France, where the government lacks a majority in parliament, and the legislature is fractured into three major camps:
- Left-wing New Popular Front (NUPES): A coalition of leftist parties seeking progressive social policies, opposing strict immigration reforms.
- Macron’s Centrist Allies and Conservatives: While in alliance, the centrists and conservatives remain distinct, often conflicting on key policies.
- The Far-Right National Rally (RN): Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is now the largest single party in the assembly, holding significant sway over the government’s legislative agenda.
With the National Assembly so deeply divided, the Barnier government’s efforts to pass any new laws, particularly those on migration, are likely to face strong resistance. Prime Minister Barnier, who is set to outline his policy priorities in a general speech to the Assembly on Tuesday, will have to navigate this fragmented political environment while pushing for a reduction in illegal migration.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, known for her anti-immigration stance, has expressed tentative support for Barnier’s proposals, stating that his approach mirrors the National Rally’s own policies. “It’s undeniable that Michel Barnier seems to have, on migration, the same assessment as ours,” she said in an interview with La Tribune-Dimanche.
Le Pen’s willingness to wait and see how Barnier acts before moving against his government speaks volumes about the importance of migration in the current political debate. If Barnier fails to deliver, the left and far-right blocs could form an unlikely alliance to force the government into a no-confidence vote, potentially leading to its collapse.
A Hardline Approach to Immigration
Central to Barnier’s platform is a promise to “limit immigration,” reflecting increasing concerns among conservatives and centrists about France’s capacity to manage rising asylum requests and illegal border crossings. In recent televised interviews, Barnier has referred to France’s borders as “sieves” and expressed the need to stem what he sees as an uncontrollable flow of migrants.
His statements were reinforced by the appointment of Bruno Retailleau as France’s new interior minister. Retailleau, known for his tough rhetoric on immigration, has wasted no time in outlining a series of stringent measures:
- Reforming State Medical Assistance (AME): Retailleau has proposed reforming the AME program, which currently covers healthcare expenses for undocumented migrants. He seeks to limit the assistance to only emergency care, arguing that it should not burden French taxpayers by covering non-essential treatments for undocumented individuals. Critics, however, argue that such a move would strain the healthcare system, as untreated conditions could become more serious and expensive to manage later.
- Increased Deportations and Border Controls: Retailleau has pledged to enforce more stringent random border checks and to bring back punitive laws that would sanction individuals caught entering the country illegally with fines or imprisonment. In addition, he aims to strike new deals with North African nations like Morocco to ensure that migrants are held in those countries before reaching France.
Despite these bold ambitions, many of these proposals are likely to face fierce opposition in parliament. The left-wing coalition, in particular, is expected to rally against any perceived erosion of migrants’ rights, while European rulings on human rights could also serve as a legal obstacle to implementing harsher border measures.
Opposition and Humanitarian Concerns
The government’s hardline approach has not gone without criticism, both within France and from humanitarian groups. Yann Manzi, the founder of Utopia 56, an NGO supporting migrants, has voiced concerns about the increasingly hostile environment facing those seeking asylum in France.
Manzi argues that France, like much of Europe, has been trending toward more restrictive migration policies, influenced by far-right rhetoric that frames migrants as a societal threat. “The message sent to those seeking to come to the country is very clear: ‘We no longer welcome you’,” Manzi stated.
Utopia 56 and similar organizations are especially critical of plans to curtail state medical assistance, arguing that it could lead to severe public health consequences. In an opinion piece published in Le Monde, eight former health ministers from across the political spectrum argued that denying healthcare to undocumented migrants would create a public health crisis. “Limiting it would put France’s healthcare system under increased pressure because it would lead to taking care of people later when their condition is more serious and more expensive,” they wrote.
Moreover, the broader humanitarian community fears that harsher deportation policies and the criminalization of undocumented entry will exacerbate the struggles faced by vulnerable migrant populations. With over 145,000 asylum applications in 2023—up significantly from previous years—NGOs warn that France is already overwhelmed, and new policies could lead to even greater suffering for those trying to seek refuge.
Migration Trends and European Context
France’s migration issues are not occurring in isolation. The entire European Union has seen a surge in asylum applications, with France ranking third behind Germany and Spain. In 2023 alone, Germany received more than 351,000 asylum requests, with Spain logging over 160,000.
The influx is largely driven by conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, as well as the destabilization caused by climate change and economic disparities. As migrants seek refuge, EU nations are struggling to find common ground on how to handle the crisis. Germany recently expanded border controls, signaling a shift towards more unilateral actions to manage migration.
Barnier has suggested that France could explore bypassing some rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to implement more restrictive migration controls. While it is unclear how feasible this would be legally, such statements underscore France’s growing frustration with what some see as limitations imposed by European law.
However, critics warn that distancing France from European courts could undermine the very foundation of European cooperation and human rights protections, further complicating an already delicate issue.
Despite the government’s tough stance on immigration, implementing these policies will not be straightforward. Barnier’s government, lacking a parliamentary majority, will have to rely on alliances and compromise to pass any significant legislation. Even with potential support from the far-right, left-wing lawmakers remain firmly opposed, and many of the proposed reforms could face legal challenges.
Barnier and Retailleau, however, are determined to pursue their objectives through alternative means. They have suggested issuing decrees and administrative directives, bypassing the need for parliamentary approval in some cases. Retailleau has announced plans to convene regional prefects to emphasize the importance of deporting more migrants and regularizing fewer.
Yet, even these measures could spark public backlash. Macron’s previous government already passed several bills aimed at tightening immigration controls and accelerating asylum procedures, but they faced legal hurdles and public protests.
France’s new hardline approach to migration is emblematic of a broader European trend toward tougher immigration controls. Under Prime Minister Michel Barnier and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, the government has signaled a willingness to take drastic measures, including deportations, border checks, and curbing state assistance for undocumented migrants.
However, with parliament deeply divided and the threat of legal challenges from European courts, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The government’s reliance on decrees and administrative orders may provide some temporary victories, but the battle over France’s migration policy is far from over.
As the situation unfolds, the French public, migrants, and lawmakers alike will be watching closely to see whether Barnier’s hardline stance delivers results—or merely deepens the political crisis already gripping the nation.
