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One must not become a Frenchman without knowing one's own free will." The president of the Modem party and supporter of the presidential majority, François Bayrou, expressed his support for the immigration law in the columns of the Journal du Dimanche (Sunday 24 December), pleading for a "new impetus, arenewal".
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With this immigration law, an eighteen-month period that has been very difficult comes to an end. The aftermath of Covid, the war in Ukraine, inflation, the law on pensions, immigration, tensions in the country, sometimes in the government, it was hard and we had to resist," sums up François Bayrou.
Taking "belonging to our nation" seriously
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The French overwhelmingly approve of this law, in all currents of opinion," the mayor said, "even on the far left." The politician recalled the supporters of a current situation "unacceptable, unbearable and inhuman", torn between "the impression of a generalized powerlessness in the face of migratory pressure" and on the other, the situation of migrants, "delivered to the mafias of smugglers" and "locked in hiding" on their arrival in France. From this point of view, "accepting that this situation lasts" would have been proof of "cowardice", insists François Bayrou.
The immigration law passed by Parliament makes it possible to "take seriously" "belonging to our nation", the elected official continues. However, the latter remains critical of certain aspects of this policy, in particular his opposition to "the obligation to require a deposit for foreign students".
"A new page is opening"
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A new page opens. We need a new impetus, arenewal. But with which personalities, what similar or different government architecture, the same or tighter, as I wish? It's up to the president to decide," he added. Unsurprisingly, the centrist leader does not want President Emmanuel Macron to propose a government agreement with Les Républicains.
The Fifth Republic is not about apparatus agreements, with parties that are firing at each other. It's a project, led by a person elected by universal suffrage, around which we form a team," he said. "This team has to keep its consistency and its centre of gravity. Therefore, different personalities with a wealth of experience are welcome," he suggests.