The leader of the Republicans launches a petition on October 31 on his social media to reform the Constitution through a referendum on the issue of fighting “mass immigration.”
The Republicans are launching a petition to combat “uncontrolled immigration” with shocking statistics, criticism of Emmanuel Macron’s policies, and alarmist assertions. This communication campaign comes a week before the examination of the government’s immigration bill in the National Assembly. The content of this bill is particularly anticipated, and concerns have already arisen from both the left and the right.
The leader of the Republicans had announced in the JDD on Sunday, October 29, his intention to launch a large national petition. It was put online and shared by LR officials and supporters this morning. It gathered more than 7,000 signatures in just a few hours.
The petition is accompanied by a video titled “How to End Uncontrolled Immigration”. It starts from the premise that there are too many immigrants in France and in one minute explains that to address this issue, the French Constitution should be amended and this should be done by consulting the people through a referendum.
The Republicans no longer believe in yet another immigration law. They count 49 laws in 40 years, “ever stricter and all powerless.” That’s why they want to toughen the law by amending the Constitution via a referendum. Only the President of the Republic or members of Parliament can revise it. If the initiative comes from Parliament members, it must be approved by referendum, which is the procedure.
The last use of a referendum in French political history was on May 29, 2005, concerning the ratification of the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. Under the Fifth Republic, the French have been asked to vote in a referendum on ten occasions, never on immigration. A reality that the Republicans lament.
74% of French people believe there are too many immigrants in France?
The Republicans’ argument relies on a series of figures and statistics. The results of a survey by Odoxa-Backbone consulting conducted for Le Figaro are highlighted. According to this opinion poll carried out on an internet sample of French people from May 23 to 24, 2023, 74% of respondents considered there were too many immigrants in France.
It is also reported that in 2022, 7.0 million immigrants were living in France, equivalent to 10.3% of the total population. These are statistics from INSEE. However, it is not specified that 2.5 million immigrants have acquired French nationality.
Other figures are presented: “Of the 134,280 orders to leave French territory (OQTF) issued last year, only 9,164 were executed, just under 7%.” According to the annual report of the General Controller of Places of Deprivation of Liberty, 4,474 OQTFs were executed in 2022 out of the 65,076 issued, a compliance rate of approximately 6.9%. However, these only cover the first six months of 2022.
Limit the reception of foreigners, facilitate expulsions, and change the asylum application process
The Republicans then propose a constitutional reform “to break with powerlessness and regain control” because they believe “we are no longer masters of our country.” This reform is presented as the solution for a nation in danger.
Lawmakers wish to tackle immigration by establishing three principles: “limit the number of foreigners accepted in France each year by a vote in Parliament without any jurisprudence based on treaties or international conventions opposing it”, “facilitate the deportation of foreigners in an irregular situation and those threatening public order”, and “end the misuse of asylum by processing applications outside our borders.”
