News Trending

French PM Élisabeth Borne resigns ahead of expected reshuffle

By 131 0

France’s Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne is resigning after less than two years in office, with President Emmanuel Macron gearing up for a significant reshuffling of his top team ahead of European elections later this year. Borne, the second female prime minister in France and the longest-serving in her role, will continue until a successor is named, according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.

President Macron acknowledged Borne’s contributions, stating she displayed “courage, commitment, and determination” during her time in office. Macron’s government has been under pressure due to protests over controversial policies and legislative setbacks, including a significant defeat on immigration legislation in December. The reshuffling is seen as an effort to revive political momentum and address challenges faced by the administration.

Several key figures are speculated to replace Borne, with the 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal considered the frontrunner. If selected, Attal would become France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister. Other potential candidates include 37-year-old Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu and former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie.

The announcement of a new prime minister is expected on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the Élysée Palace. The chosen candidate will face the daunting task of managing the day-to-day affairs of the government and leading the Council of Ministers. Macron’s party lost its parliamentary majority in 2022, making it challenging for the incoming prime minister to navigate the political landscape and turn the president’s policies into law. The upcoming appointment will mark the fourth prime minister since Macron’s initial election in 2017.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Controversial French immigration law passes parliament

By 152 0

The French parliament has recently passed a more stringent immigration law, culminating months of political negotiations. Both President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) supported the amended bill, creating a significant majority in the lower house. Despite accusations from the left that Macron made concessions to the far-right, the ruling party’s overwhelming majority rendered support from Le Pen unnecessary. Macron had underscored his reluctance to owe victory to the RN, expressing a preference for a new reading of the bill instead of relying on their backing.

Some key provisions in the new legislation include making it more challenging for migrants to bring family members to France and delaying their access to welfare benefits. These measures aim to address concerns related to immigration and welfare systems. An earlier draft of the bill failed when MPs from the far-left and far-right opposed it for different reasons, showcasing the contentious nature of immigration policy in France.

Human rights groups have strongly criticized the amended law, denouncing it as the most regressive immigration legislation in France in decades. Critics argue that the measures undermine fundamental values, raising concerns about the impact on vulnerable migrant populations. Despite the opposition, the bill received support from conservatives who applauded its firmness and courage in addressing immigration challenges.

While Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally welcomed the amended bill, left-wing voices expressed disappointment, accusing Macron of enabling the far-right and signaling a shift in the country’s history and fundamental values. French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel argued that the legislation, directly inspired by RN’s anti-immigration stance, represented a concerning departure for the republic.

Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party lost its majority in parliament in June 2022, leading to challenges in passing legislation. Since then, the government has frequently found itself unable to secure necessary votes in parliament, highlighting the complex political landscape surrounding immigration policy in France.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Emmanuel Macron’s government in crisis after migration bill defeat

By 171 0

The French government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, is facing a crisis as opposition parties, spanning the political spectrum from far-right to far-left and moderate factions, joined forces to defeat a crucial immigration bill. The rejection occurred on Monday, with critics arguing that the proposed law was either too repressive (according to the left) or not stringent enough (according to the right).

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, known for his tough stance on immigration, offered to resign following the defeat, but President Macron declined his resignation. The government had asserted that the bill aimed to control immigration while enhancing the integration of migrants. The proposed legislation sought to streamline the deportation process for migrants sentenced to prison terms of five years or longer and impose stricter conditions on family reunification in France.

Despite Interior Minister Darmanin’s efforts to garner support for the bill, opposition MPs from various factions, including the National Rally (far-right), France Unbowed (far-left), Republicans (right-wing), and smaller parties, voted against it, leading to a 270-265 defeat for the government.

Before the vote, MP Arthur Delaporte of the Socialist party denounced the bill as “unjust, scandalous, and a threat to freedom.” President Macron’s centrist Renaissance party had lost its parliamentary majority in the June 2022 elections, making it challenging for the government to secure votes in parliament.

In response to the defeat, the government announced its intention to redraft the bill. Notably, the option used by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to pass laws without a vote cannot be employed to advance this revised version.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright