France's Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, accused the National Rally party of Jordan Bardella of hypocrisy on migration policy, calling their stance a "big fraud." Haddad argued the far-right party has opposed EU migration efforts except when politically advantageous, contrasting their position with France's cooperative approach.
The exchange highlights the intensifying political battle over migration in France, a key issue ahead of upcoming elections, and underscores the deep divisions between Macron's centrist government and the ascendant far-right National Rally.
BRUSSELS – France's Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, has accused the far-right National Rally party led by Jordan Bardella of a "big fraud" regarding their migration policies.
Haddad stated that the National Rally has consistently opposed EU efforts to control migration, only supporting them when it became politically advantageous. He highlighted the party's shift on the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact and the Returns Regulation, which facilitates the deportation of asylum seekers whose requests are denied.
The minister argued that the National Rally's position is hypocritical, pointing to former leader Marine Le Pen's initial strong opposition to the Returns Regulation before voting in favor of it in the European Parliament. Haddad emphasized that France, under Macron, believes in European cooperation to manage complex issues like migration, suggesting that nationalist solutions are insufficient.
He also commented on the controversial aspect of "return hubs" outside the EU for rejected asylum seekers, noting that while France is not part of a core group establishing these, the government views such measures through the lens of efficiency. Haddad affirmed France's support for striking deals with third countries, such as those with Egypt and Tunisia, to manage migration flows, deeming such agreements "absolutely necessary."