LR officials made several proposals on immigration this weekend in “Le Journal du Dimanche”, part of which seems to be closer to the RN program.
The Republicans’ shock proposals on immigration have not gone unnoticed. “It’s a copy-paste almost word for word of Marine Le Pen’s proposals”, assured on France 2, Monday, May 22, the deputy of the National Rally Thomas Ménagé. LR officials revealed in The Sunday newspaper two bills, in order to “take back control” in matters of immigration. Possibility of a referendum on migration policy, reinstatement of the offense of illegal residence, inclusion of assimilation in the Constitution… In an attempt to overtake the government of Elisabeth Borne on this theme, LR puts a helm on the right and seems indeed draw some sources of inspiration from the side of the RN. Franceinfo compared LR’s proposals with those of the far-right party.
Establishing the primacy of French law over European law: a campaign promise by Marine Le Pen in 2022
“We want to include in the Constitution the possibility of derogating from the primacy of treaties and European law with an organic law, (…) when ‘the fundamental interests of the nation’ are at stake”announcement to JDD the boss of LR senators, Bruno Retailleau. This idea is not entirely new. Marine Le Pen proposed during the last presidential campaign to register “the superiority of French constitutional law over European law”. The objective displayed by the RN candidate? “All the European texts which are contrary to our supreme law would not have any application in our French law.” The RN program also specified that this primacy of French law could apply to immigration, “but also in all subjects”.
Organizing a referendum on migration policy: a proposal made by Marine Le Pen since 2017
“We want to allow a referendum to be held on migration policy”, explains Bruno Retailleau. For this, LR knows that it will first have to go through another constitutional amendment, because the reading of article 11 of the Constitution leaves no doubt: a referendum can only relate to the organization of public powers. and on economic, social and environmental reforms. “The French must be able to choose who they welcome, who they do not wish to welcome and who no longer has a place on our territory”press in THE JDD MP LR Eric Ciotti.
During the 2017 and 2022 presidential campaigns, Marine Le Pen had already proposed a controversial referendum aimed at enshrining in the Constitution “national priority” for access to social housing, employment and social assistance. In 2022, the RN candidate had even specified the question that should be asked of the French: “Do you approve of the Citizenship, Identity and Immigration Bill which will present a comprehensive plan to control immigration?”
Include assimilation in the Constitution: an LR initiative very similar to that of the RN
“Finally, we want to affirm in our fundamental law the refusal of communitarianism, to raise the principle of assimilation to constitutional rank”declares Bruno Retailleau in THE JDD. Here too, LR is getting closer to the RN program. “A foreigner can, at his request, access French nationality, by way of naturalization, if he is assimilated to the national community”set out in 2022 the project to rewrite the Constitution of the National Rally.
Keeping foreigners “representing a threat”: a similar project in the RN program
In his counter-proposal, LR also wishes “remove foreigners representing a threat to public security or having been sentenced to imprisonment”, as detailed by Bruno Retailleau. The words frankly recall the program of the National Rally. “All obstacles limiting or prohibiting the expulsion of foreigners convicted of serious crimes or misdemeanors or of those who pose a risk to public order or undermine public order will be removed”detailed the RN immigration booklet in 2022.
Reforming the right of asylum: an idea supported by Marine Le Pen during the last presidential election
The Republicans also want to reform French asylum procedures. “The latter will now have to be educated in our diplomatic and consular representations abroad or at our borders, but no longer on national territory”claims Bruno Retailleau.
Once again, the proposal is not new. During the 2022 presidential campaign, the RN included in its program a modification of the right to asylum: “The procedures for submitting an asylum application will be set by law. It may establish the obligation to submit them to the services of French embassies and consulates abroad.”
Restore the crime of illegal residence: a proposal already included in the RN program
“Those who have arrived illegally must know that they will not be welcomed and that they will have no rights. Today, we are sending the opposite message. This is why the offense of illegal residence must be reinstated “says Eric Ciotti at JDD. Abolished under François Hollande in 2013, the return of this crime of illegal residence is also a wish of Marine Le Pen. “The fact of entering or remaining illegally on the territory will once again become an offence”promises the RN program.