The French government decided to play along with opposition supporters and take it out on immigrants
As RFI notes, some of the proposals have already been repeatedly voiced in the election programs of opposition representatives. Key measures include the introduction of quotas for professional immigration, restricting access to free social insurance for asylum seekers, and tightening conditions for obtaining French citizenship.
One of the most anticipated measures announced by the French government is the introduction of quotas for professional immigration. They will primarily affect those sectors of the economy where the number of job vacancies exceeds the number of potential employees. As Labor Minister Muriel Pénicaud assured, there is no talk of major changes for migrants: currently in France, work permits are also issued on a priority basis to representatives of professions with low unemployment rates.
The government is confident that the introduction of quotas will help employers save time and resources by simplifying the hiring procedure, which previously took up to six months. Now business representatives will not have to justify why they want to hire a foreigner rather than a French person. Pénicaud particularly noted that the total number of residence permits issued for professional reasons will remain virtually unchanged (in 2019, their number was about 30,000).
To combat illegal immigration, the French authorities decided to restrict access to free health insurance for asylum seekers. Currently, refugees can count on it from the moment they apply. Because of this, as Health Minister Agnès Buzyn stated, some migrants practice "medical tourism" and come to France for treatment even if they know in advance that they will not receive political asylum. Now, according to the ministers' statement, they will only be eligible for insurance three months after applying.
The French government also decided to limit the right to health insurance for those who have been denied asylum or have lost their residence permit. Currently, they retain the right to insurance for 12 months – this period will be reduced to six months.
Another measure proposed by Macron's cabinet is the creation of three administrative detention centers near Lyon, Bordeaux, and Orléans. This will allow French law enforcement to ensure that foreigners who are required to leave France do not remain in the country illegally.
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner also announced an additional condition for obtaining French citizenship. It will now require proficiency in French at level B1 not only in spoken but also in written form.
According to the French press, the government announced the new measures in anticipation of upcoming elections. In five months, France will hold municipal elections, where candidates from the ruling party will face off against representatives of the far-right National Rally. In 2022, the country will hold presidential elections. Marine Le Pen has already announced her intention to participate. Although the official election campaign has not yet begun, public opinion polls already name Le Pen and Macron as the main candidates to advance to the second round.
"For Macron, this is a clear 'turn to the right,'" believes France 2 journalist Nathalie Saint-Cricq. "The president does not want the National Rally to have a monopoly on discussing immigration. In 2017, Macron believed that the quota system was very difficult to implement. Now he has changed his position."