Published 22:10 IST, September 27th 2019
'France can't host everyone', says Macron in new migration stance
France's President said on September 25 that France cannot host everyone intensifying his tough decision on immigration policies ahead of elections
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French President Emmanuel Macron said on September 25 that France cannot host everyone intensifying his tough decision on immigration. Last week the President focused a strict line on immigration in the second half of his mandate arguing the government must stop voters from being carried away to the far-right. President Macron in an interview with a news channel at the UN in New York said France cannot host everyone if it wants to host people well. Macron realized that France had seen a sharp increase in the numbers of people who are seeking asylum since the 2017 presidential elections and said a combined effort from the European nations was needed. He said that Europe lacks enough cooperation and it needs to look after the migratory process and take necessary actions.
French Parliament is all set for a major debate on the next week about the immigration issues
Macron's concerns come as the French Parliament is all set for a major debate on the next week about the immigration issues with the lower house National Assembly discussing the issue on Monday followed by the Senate on Wednesday. The first term of the French President expires on 2022 and he is more concerned about his biggest political opposition Marine Le Pen and her far-right National Rally party which has gained its image on a strong anti-immigration policy.
President Macron: Need to take a look at the basket of state medical aide offered to migrants
He said he needed to take a look at the basket of state medical aids offered to migrants while accentuating that disposing of such help completely would be "absurd". On the other hand, during the 2017 presidential elections Macron openly supported German Chancellor Angela Merkel in allowing to host over a million refugees. He said two priorities now had to be given asylum as quickly as possible to those who have a right to France's protection and integrating them more effectively through more French courses and more aggressive employment policy. France previous year received a record of 122,743 asylum requests, up by 22 percent compared to 2017.
(With inputs from agencies)
16:30 IST, September 25th 2019