The new Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau expressed on Sunday September 29 his “regret” that we cannot hold a referendum on immigration in France, also judging that “there will be no control of immigration only if we have an overall plan.” “We cannot do in France […] unfortunately for constitutional reasons […] referendum on immigration. I regret it,” said Bruno Retailleau on LCI. Asked about his personal wish for such a referendum, he replied: “Yes, a thousand times yes”, noting that “we would first have to revise the Constitution” to “allow an extension of the perimeter, the field on which we can consult by referendum”.
Interviewed from his office, Place Beauvau, Bruno Retailleau justified this desire for a referendum by the fact that “immigration is one of the phenomena which has most disrupted French society for 50 years, for half a century, without the French have never had to speak out.” Judging that “immigration is not an opportunity”, the minister estimated that “there will only be control of immigration if we have an overall plan”.
Pointing to “a thicket of legal rules”, he said he was ready to use “all levers”, while saying he was “respectful” of Prime Minister Michel Barnier who must make his general policy declaration on Tuesday and “will announce a certain number measurements”. Bruno Retailleau notably cited the possibility of extending the maximum duration of detention for people subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). “We can extend it by a lot, by doubling” to 180 days, he judged, but “that is not enough”. He also cited the subject of expulsions, believing that “we must assume a balance of power” to send people back to their country of origin, citing “three levers”: the granting of visas, development aid and trade. Asked if he was in favor of double punishment, that is to say systematic expulsion after the sentence has been served, he also said he was “of course” in favor.
“Rejoicing” words for Marion Maréchal
The interview with the Minister of the Interior sparked many reactions on . “Our language makes it possible to differentiate between illegal and legal immigration. The first must be fought, the second must be controlled. Not making the distinction sets the stage for the RN,” she lambasted. “What would be the difference with an RN Interior Minister?” asked the leader of PS deputies Boris Vallaud.
Far-right MEP Marion Maréchal, on the other hand, welcomed the “pleasant” remarks. “Double penalty, agreements with Algeria, multicultural society: difficult to disagree with the words of Bruno Retailleau this evening,” she judged.