Before his trip to Creuse on Friday September 16 on the occasion of Heritage Days, Emmanuel Macron expressed his wish to welcome more foreigners in the countryside and fewer in the cities, within the framework of a new law on the immigration expected in the coming months. In Creuse, the elected officials are rather open on the question.
Bring life back to the countryside by promoting the arrival of foreigners in rural areas: “PWhy not?“, answers Nicolas Simonnet, mayor of Nouhant (Creuse), 300 inhabitants. “We have homes, villages just waiting to live“, he adds, enthusiastic. But the city councilor also asks himself questions.
“Under what conditions will these people be installed? Is it by obligation? We must find work for them, they must be able to flourish with a family life.”
Nicolas Simonnet, Mayor of Nouhantat franceinfo
In Guéret, prefecture of Creuse, the unlabeled mayor, Marie-Françoise Fournier, defines her department as a land of welcome. Yet she also thinks “that we have to come back to the idea that depopulated rural areas must absolutely be repopulated“. She also warns about the reception conditions.
“”People must be able to be welcomed in good conditions, that the local population also has a level of acceptability that is correct.”
Marie-Françoise Fournier, Mayor of Guéretat franceinfo
“A rural territory like ours suffers from problems of medical desertification, in terms of employment, we are not very competitive either, so welcoming people means welcoming them in all facets of their lives”insists the mayor of Guéret.
Welcoming immigrants in rural areas is also a possibility accepted by Catherine Couturier, rebellious MP for Creuse, but it should in no case be imposed. “Freedom of movement in this territory must be maintained. What are these ways of saying ‘today you are going to live here, you are going to live there'”, advance the elected of the Nupes.
The principle of welcoming immigrants in rural areas is received positively in Creuse. It is rather the concrete realization of this principle which will have to be clarified quickly by Emmanuel Macron.
What do the Creuse elected officials think of welcoming more immigrants in rural areas? Answer with Hadrien Bect
to listen