During the last election campaign, Nicolas Sarkozy promised the country radical reforms that would shake up France. The first radical step in this direction was taken last Thursday, when the National Assembly passed an immigration law. The document, if passed by the Senate, will significantly tighten entry rules for relatives of immigrants living in the country.
First, all foreigners wishing to stay in the country are now required to pass an exam on knowledge of the French language, as well as French culture and history. Second, relatives of immigrants living in France will be required to provide proof of their income. If their salary is below the set minimum of €1,279, they will not be able to invite relatives.
And finally, the most radical part of the law: if there are doubts about the authenticity of applicants' documents, both the inviting and the invited parties will be required to take a DNA test, at their own expense (the cost of a DNA test in France is $420). Citizenship can only be obtained after four years of permanent residence in the country.
The immigration law was proposed by Sarkozy's cabinet, whose party has a majority in both houses of the French parliament. Before the vote on the DNA clause, serious battles broke out in the National Assembly. The author of the amendment, Thierry Mariani, concluded that genetic analysis is necessary to stem the flood of falsified documents coming mainly from applicants from Africa. He also emphasized that the same procedure is used by many European countries, as well as the mandatory exam on national language and culture. Opponents of the amendment said it violates basic human rights. French columnists suggested the following scenario: a person inviting a son from abroad takes a DNA test and learns that he is not his father. Socialist deputy Serge Blisko ironically stated during the debate that 'in France, at least 10% of such fathers exist.'
Ultimately, the factions of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement and centrist deputies voted for the bill. Socialists, Communists, and Greens voted against. The only concession to the left was an amendment stating that the DNA analysis provision is introduced on an experimental basis and will be in effect until 2010. Since Sarkozy's government controls both parliamentary chambers, no problems are expected with the Senate's approval of the law. The upper house will consider the bill in October.
The topic of immigration, recall, became key in Sarkozy's election campaign. After winning the election, as BBC recalls, Sarkozy set quotas for the deportation of illegal immigrants. The quota for the current year is 25,000 people. In the first seven months of the year, according to Reuters, 11,000 people were expelled from France. Sarkozy is also well known for his tough actions against radical youth, predominantly consisting of Muslim immigrants, in November 2005. Thanks to the harsh measures he authorized, mass riots in Paris were stopped.
Notably, simultaneously with the attack on immigration, Sarkozy launched an equally radical program of social reforms. Its essence boils down to eradicating all socialist achievements of the previous government, such as the 35-hour work week and the early retirement system for some categories of workers. Employers, according to the new rules, will be able to force their employees to work overtime. A stricter system of taxation and health insurance will be introduced for those who retired early. The new system is expected to be implemented by the end of next year.
Thus the president is fulfilling his campaign slogan – 'work more to earn more.' In this regard, mass protests have already been scheduled in France. For example, on October 17, employees of the French state railway company plan to go on strike. Union leaders are categorically against reducing the special privileges of railway workers. On September 29, nine left-wing parties, together with trade unions, will organize another mass protest against the planned healthcare reforms.
Recall that in May 2006, the French National Assembly adopted a law on 'selective immigration,' which tightened the rules for entry and stay of foreigners in the country. This law significantly complicated the rules of residence for unskilled workers from other countries. According to the document, only skilled workers now receive a residence permit. This law also abolished the rule according to which a migrant who lived in France for 10 years automatically received French citizenship.
Vasily SERGEEV.
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