French far-right leader Bardella promises to curb 'migration flow'
Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party in France, has emphasized that if they win the snap general election, he will significantly reduce the flow of migration into the country.
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Representatives of the three major parties participating in France's snap general election debated their campaign promises on topics such as the economy, energy, and migration on the French channel TF1.
The debate was attended by Manuel Bompard, coordinator of the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party, Bardella, and French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, representing the ruling Renaissance party.
Bardella stated that he does not want immigrants born in the country to automatically receive French citizenship, adding that he wants to abolish free healthcare for foreigners who are not in the country legally.
"I will restore authority and security in the country," said Bardella, promising to significantly reduce migration flows to France if he wins the election and becomes prime minister.
Jordan Bardella remarked, "Millions of French people today do not recognize France; they do not recognize the country they grew up in. In fact, I want us to put an end to this crazy mass migration policy."
LFI leader Bompard criticized the migration-related promises of his far-right rival, Bardella.
Pointing out that Bardella's own family is partly of immigrant origin, Bompard said, "When your own ancestors came to France, your political ancestors were saying the exact same things you are saying now."
Emphasizing that immigrants work in jobs that are essential to the country, Bompard stated that these individuals contribute 10 billion euros to the national economy every year.
The father of the far-right leader Bardella's grandmother, an Algerian named Mohand Seghir Mada, had settled in France in the 1930s.
In the French leg of the European Parliament (EP) elections, the RN took first place by a wide margin with 31.37 percent of the vote, while President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party came in second with 14.60 percent.
Following the announcement of the EP election results, Macron dissolved Parliament on June 9 and announced the decision to hold snap elections on June 30 and July 7.