France’s highest constitutional authority on Thursday rejected more than a third of the articles in a contentious immigration bill adopted under pressure from the right and far-right, reports FRANCE 24.
The Constitutional Council ruling notably rejected measures in the bill toughening access to social benefits and family reunification, as well as the introduction of immigration quotas set by parliament.
It upheld much of the bill initially presented by President Emmanuel Macron’s government, but censured contentious additions made under pressure from the right and far-right.
Among the measures rejected were those making it harder for immigrants to bring their families to France, and limiting their access to social welfare. The bill also strengthens France’s ability to deport foreigners considered undesirable.
Interior minister Gerard Darmanin hailed the ruling. “The Constitutional Council has approved all the government’s text,” he wrote on X, formally Twitter.
But Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally party, criticised what he said was a “coup by the judges, with the backing of the president”. He called for a referendum on immigration as the “only solution”.
Despite the court dismissing the more hardline amendments, they could still be accepted at a later stage as part of different legislation.