The reform of European migration policy is subject to a vote by MEPs this Wednesday, April 10. Valérie Hayer, head of the majority list in the European elections, defended the immigration pact as a “firm” and “humane” response, enough to provoke certain dissensions in Macronie.
A “firm” and “humane” response to the migratory challenge. This is how the migration pact was presented by Valérie Hayer, head of the presidential majority list in the next European elections, Monday April 8, 2024 during her debate with Marion Maréchal Le Pen, who will lead the Reconquest list on June 9. More precisely, the vast reform of European migration policy including the European pact on migration and asylum will be voted on this Wednesday April 10 in Brussels in mini-session. In the European Parliament, the Renew group chaired by Valérie Hayer is the only one among the French delegations which will vote in favor of the pact. Enough to create certain dissensions within the Macronie itself.
Finding a balance between border control and solidarity
Presented on September 23, 2020 by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the main objective of the European pact on asylum and migration is to fundamentally reform continental migration policy after the 2015 migration crisis. the subject of intense negotiations of the Twenty-seven, whose positions are sometimes diametrically opposed. But two months before the European election, the representatives of the States and the European Parliament seem to have managed to find an agreement, which would make it possible to consider definitive adoption. In total, it is made up of ten legislative texts intended to establish a balance between border control and solidarity for the reception of refugees in Europe.
This pact is based on three pillars. First, accelerated management at the borders with “new procedures to quickly establish the status of a person upon arrival”. A migrant must know, within five days, whether he can stay in Europe or leave. Then, strengthening cooperation with countries of origin and transit to limit arrivals and fight against smuggling networks and the migrant train. Finally, the establishment of a new, more flexible solidarity mechanism. In other words, each country will have to contribute to solidarity, but in a less restrictive way. Relocations (today compulsory) will switch to a voluntary system.
A majority divided again?
In Macronie, the least we can say is that the immigration pact is divisive. During her debate with Marion Maréchal Le Pen, Renaissance candidate Valérie Hayer took the side of defending the “border control” aspect of the pact on migration and asylum. A position which does not seem to have really convinced internally. “These media talk about immigration all the time. We might as well try to bring something other than the fantasies and caricatures constantly developed by the RN and Reconquest!” regrets Loïc Signor, spokesperson for Renaissance in the columns of Le Monde.
In Édouard Philippe’s camp, the trend, or at least the wish, would be for a tightening of the migration aspect in the immigration pact by requesting the inclusion of “financial support by the European Union for national immigration control infrastructures”. borders. A provision included in the manifesto of Horizons, the party created and chaired by Edouard Philippe, mayor of Le Havre, on October 9, 2021. The subsidy by Brussels of fences at Europe’s borders is notably one of the party’s desires. On the opposition side, Valérie Hayer’s words triggered the red alert. She “wants to do at European level what was done Macron in France: embark on a chase with the extreme right” launches the head of the EELV list, Marie Toussaint, for the moment credited with 5.5% of voting intentions according to the latest Ifop-Fiducial poll for Le Figaro, and Sud Radio, published on April 9.
“Georgia Meloni supports the pact”
Finally, during the debate with Marion Maréchal Le Pen this Monday on CNews, Valérie Hayer also underlined Renew’s agreement with part of the European extreme right on the subject of the pact: “Georgia Meloni supports the asylum and immigration pact that we will vote on Wednesday” in an attempt to destabilize Marion Maréchal Le Pen, who should not vote for it. Not really enough to reassure the left wing of Macronie, just before the vote concerning the migratory challenge facing Europe.