In a significant show of dissent, an estimated 75,000 people participated in nationwide protests, with Paris witnessing 16,000 demonstrators, according to the Interior Ministry. However, the hard-left CGT union contested these figures, asserting that the actual number reached 150,000 participants across the country.
The timing of the protests, just four days before the Constitutional Council’s decision on the conformity of all articles in the controversial immigration law passed in December, added a critical dimension to the public outcry.
The legislation in question aims to bolster France’s capacity to deport individuals deemed undesirable and introduces stricter measures for foreigners seeking to access social welfare, among other provisions.
The protest was organized by 200 prominent figures from diverse sectors, including the arts and unions, who criticized the law as being drafted under the influence of those advocating a ‘national preference’ project for France. This idea, advocating that French citizens, not foreigners, should benefit more from the country’s resources, has long been associated with the far-right National Rally party.
President Emmanuel Macron, despite supporting the law’s passage through parliament, made an unusual declaration, stating that certain articles may be unconstitutional. An Interior Ministry official, quoted anonymously by Le Monde, hinted that the Constitutional Council might strike down around “a good dozen” of these articles.
Several contentious elements of the law include provisions making it more challenging for individuals to bring family members to France. For example, an applicant seeking to join their spouse will now be required to demonstrate proficiency in the French language. The Constitutional Council is expected to scrutinize heightened standards for receiving social services and housing, as well as the reintroduction of a law abolished in 2012, which deems it illegal for a foreigner to be in France without residence papers.
Observers suggest that the immigration law reflects President Macron’s recent attempts to shift the government towards a more right-leaning stance, particularly in light of the upcoming European elections in June, where far-right sentiments are gaining popularity according to polls.
Another factor influencing Macron’s political calculus is the potential victory of National Rally leader Marine Le Pen in the 2027 presidential elections. With Macron ineligible to run for a third term after completing two presidential mandates, the political landscape in France is poised for significant changes.