French court censures parts of controversial immigration law

PARIS: France´s top constitutional authority on Thursday rejected parts of a controversial immigration bill adopted under pressure from the right, in a ruling applauded by government but slammed by the far right.

The bill adopted last month is a flagship reform of President Emmanuel Macron´s second term, but the toughened version of the text caused a revolt among lawmakers from the ruling party and led a minister to resign.

The Constitutional Council upheld much of the bill initially presented by Macron´s government, but censured contentious additions made under insistence from the right and far right.

It notably rejected measures in the bill restricting access to social benefits and family reunification, as well as the introduction of immigration quotas set by parliament.

Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin, who earlier said some measures were “clearly contrary to the constitution”, described the ruling as a win for the government.

“The Constitutional Council has approved all the government´s text,” he wrote on X.

But Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally party, on X 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”.

The decision comes as Macron seeks to curb the rapid rise of the far right, expected to make considerable gains in European elections in June.