France's new Home Affairs Minister, Bruno Retailleau, has signaled a shift in the country's approach to migration. Retailleau has expressed a willingness to renegotiate the EU Migration Pact and make border checks permanent, citing what he describes as 'migration disorders.' He plans to form alliances with other states to adopt a firmer stance on immigration. Critics argue that the current pact is insufficient, while NGOs have voiced concerns over the potential humanitarian impact. Retailleau also aims to establish new migration deals with Maghreb countries, mirroring the Italy-Albania model, and to revise the France-Algeria visa agreement. These changes would require legal adjustments at the EU level, as permanent border checks are currently only allowed temporarily under EU law.
Retailleau's plans have stirred controversy. He proposes stricter deportations, fewer residency permits for undocumented migrants, and reduced medical care for migrants. His prior tenure as head of the Conservative faction in the Senate saw the passage of stringent immigration laws, some of which were later overturned. Opposition politicians have criticized his approach, accusing him of aligning too closely with far-right ideologies. Retailleau counters these claims, suggesting that accusations against him often mask underlying antisemitic sentiments.
The broader European context also plays a role in this debate. Germany and France are pushing for a new EU-UK migration agreement post-Brexit, aiming to address irregular migration and asylum rights while promoting legal mobility. Meanwhile, the EU is calling on Tunisia to investigate allegations of sexual violence against migrant women by security forces, highlighting the complexities and human rights issues tied to migration policies.
Retailleau's proposals and the ensuing debate underscore the tension between national security concerns and humanitarian obligations in Europe's ongoing migration crisis.
