France unveils stricter migration measures under new conservative government

In France, the composition of the new government was announced. It was formed two weeks after Michel Barnier's appointment as Prime Minister and over two months after the parliamentary elections. The Conservatives, who have returned to power after 12 years, are announcing a tightening migration policy.

On Monday, France's new Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, stated that the French want more order at the country's borders and on its streets. He listed order as his priority because, in his words, "when there is no order, freedom is threatened." The Minister admitted he wants to take an example from Italy, among others, which is implementing a plan to stop migration from Africa.

"The French, too, have given us their roadmap. We must listen to the message they gave us ... They want more security and less immigration. I will apply this roadmap," said Retailleau during the official assumption of office.

The 63-year-old politician from the right-wing Republican party is considered a staunch conservative. Until now, he led the Republican group in the Senate. During parliamentary work on immigration law, he advocated for stricter provisions, and later, when the Constitutional Council overturned them, he called for a return to discussions on them.

Bruno Retailleau told TF1 that signing agreements with Maghreb countries to stop migrants is fundamental. The Minister of the Interior also spoke of creating an alliance of European countries for which controlling migration is a priority.

The new authorities also want to limit migrants' access to social benefits. "We're one of the European countries that offers the most benefits, and I don't want France to stand out, to be the most attractive country in Europe for a certain number of social benefits and access to healthcare," said the Minister of the Interior.

The minister's list of changes also includes facilitating the expulsion and punishment of illegal migrants. Specific proposals will be presented next week during Prime Minister Michel Barnier's speech.

The newspaper Le Figaro speculates that the new Minister of the Interior might address potential issues related to immigration, such as limiting free health care for illegal immigrants and restricting family reunification. The newspaper also wonders whether Retailleau will seek to negotiate readmission agreements between France and the countries most immigrants come from.