Today, we are going to address a hot topic: migration policy. As many migrants arrive in Lampedusa, Italy, in recent days, the question of their reception arises once again. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that France would not welcome any of these migrants, arguing that this would put even more pressure on the country’s integration capacities.
However, this position is not new for France. Since the arrival of Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée in 2017, the French executive has oscillated between openness and closure towards migrants, multiplying reversals and contradictory declarations.
In January 2017, then a candidate for the presidential election, Emmanuel Macron welcomed the welcoming policy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He praised the common values that were safeguarded by welcoming refugees in distress.
Once elected, Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to put an end to the presence of migrants on the streets by the end of the year, out of concern for dignity and humanity. However, according to the Abbé Pierre Foundation, several tens of thousands of migrants are still sleeping on the streets in 2023.
In summer 2018, France refused to welcome the ship Aquarius, chartered by the SOS Méditerranée association, despite the shipwrecked people on board. This decision was criticized and left its mark, illustrating the firmness of French migration policy.
In September of the same year, the Asylum and Immigration law of Gérard Collomb, Minister of the Interior at the time, was promulgated. This law toughened the tone towards migrants and was strongly criticized by migrant aid associations.
It is clear that French migration policy is marked by hesitations and reversals. Opening speeches alternate with closing decisions, thus creating uncertainty as to France’s real position vis-à-vis migrants.
This chaotic migration policy raises fundamental questions about solidarity, humanity and the integration capacity of European countries. It is essential to find solutions to address this migration crisis in a sustainable manner that respects human rights.
In conclusion, the migration issue is a complex and delicate subject, which requires in-depth reflection and concerted actions. France and all European countries must find a balance between humanity and realism, in order to ensure a dignified welcome and successful integration of migrants.