In response to calls from conservatives and the far right for a referendum on immigration, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that he will propose expanding the scope of referendums in the country.
After a 12-hour meeting last week to resolve the impasse in the National Assembly, or lower chamber, where Macron’s allies lack a majority but there is no viable alternative coalition, he made a commitment in a letter to party leaders.
The president stated that a specific proposal would be made “in the coming weeks” that would involve amending the French constitution’s provisions regarding referendums.
That would “allow us to continue our talks, which I hope will come to a close when we next meet,” he continued, adding that it would be in the autumn.
Immigration has dominated the political agenda this summer, with Macron’s side failing to secure conservative support for a proposed reform that would toughen conditions for irregular immigration while allowing some undocumented workers in important industries to remain in France.
Macron stated that the bill would be debated in parliament “from this autumn” before a possible public vote.
There are “known disagreements” on the matter, he says, but “it cannot be avoided.”
