Macron’s Taboo Break
France’s President Macron had to make significant concessions to the right with the tightened migration law. This shows how limited his room for maneuver has become. Ironically, one person has benefited from this who Macron actually intended to stop. The president appeared on television at prime time – once again. The French media were in rare agreement that day, with headlines unanimously declaring “government crisis.” This is because the new, stricter immigration law, which was passed the day before, is dividing the country and is as controversial as few other laws.
Emmanuel Macron had to, once again, defend his policies and leadership style: he stated in the evening that the new law is “absolutely necessary” and is for the “protection of the French people.” However, the president is paying a high price for it.
Negotiations deep into the night
The Assemblée Nationale faced an unprecedented suspenseful vote. Television channels provided live coverage. The law was on the brink until the last moment. Since the election, Macron no longer has a sufficient majority in parliament, and support within his own ranks is crumbling.
In a stormy and heated overnight session, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin tried one last time to justify the controversial measure. Shortly before midnight, the decision was made: 349 votes in favor, 186 votes against. One-quarter of Macron’s supporters refused to give their agreement.
Thus, the law was adopted – with the votes of the far-right Rassemblement National led by Marine Le Pen. A taboo break, a paradigm shift. Macron, who owes his double electoral victory in part to the promise of confronting right-wing extremism and nationalism, now goes home with the support of those he promised to fight against.
Macron’s plan was different
The migration law was considered the most important project of his second term. His original plan was to both facilitate and tighten immigration rules, simultaneously pursuing left and right policies. “En même temps” (at the same time) is the motto for this simultaneous approach.
In the case of the immigration law, this meant facilitating work opportunities for migrants while expediting deportations for rejected asylum seekers and criminals.
With this dual strategy, he aimed to court both the left and right opposition in parliament, whose votes he relied on.
Failure and change of direction
But the strategy did not work: the left staunchly rejected the draft law, and the right-wing Républicains set tough conditions.
Macron shifted towards the right. Excruciating negotiations followed, with former Gaullists constantly making new demands, resulting in a further tightening of the draft law. The question of facilitations was no longer even mentioned.
At the same time, there were rumblings within Macron’s camp. Marine Le Pen watched calmly from the sidelines. Eventually, a compromise was reached in the mediation committee. The result is that EU foreigners should have more limited access to social benefits, there should be no facilitated right to stay for working migrants, and family reunification should be made more difficult. The goal is to deter migrants from coming to France as much as possible.
Le Pen triumphs
“A ideological victory for the Rassemblement National,” triumphed party leader Le Pen, stating that this makes it clear that “French people will be prioritized over foreigners.” Without hesitation, her party will vote in favor of the government’s bill. And so it happened.
With this, Macron has pushed through the most important government project of his second term with the votes of the right and far-right. 32 departments have already announced that they will not implement the law, unions are mobilizing, and a minister has resigned.
A harbinger for Le Pen?
Macron, who once ran as a liberal reformer with the support of the left, has shifted the French Republic to the right. He hopes to prevent Le Pen from becoming the next president. In fact, she consistently gains in all polls and even recently ranked first among all candidates.
During his TV appearance, Macron assured that he would continue to drive important reforms in his remaining term of three and a half years. However, his room for maneuver is limited.
His “en même temps” policy has failed. He has lost the left. If at all, he can only pass laws and govern in conjunction with the right. It is not unlikely that the former hope of French politics will become a harbinger for President Le Pen.