Sébastien Chenu, vice-president of the Rassemblement National (RN) and deputy from the North of France, recently voiced grave concerns about France's rising immigration numbers and the government's budget decisions during his appearance on BFMTV's flagship political program, Face à Face, hosted by Apolline de Malherbe. With the release of immigration statistics for 2024 by the French government, Chenu argues these figures present alarming trends, particularly emphasizing the unchecked nature of immigration policies.
On February 4, 2024, the government disclosed immigration data indicating over 336,700 residence permits granted, showing a 1.8% increase from the previous year. Chenu expressed his frustration during the interview: "On naturalise, on régularise, on accepte des clandestins, on augmente les acceptations de droit d’asile." He decried what he sees as the government opening the floodgates for immigration, stating, "Les vannes sont très largement ouvertes." This sense of urgency resonates deeply within the party, mirroring their long-standing criticism of immigration practices.
Chenu's apprehensions point primarily to the countries from which many of these immigrants originate; Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia lead the list. He highlights the historical agreement established with Algeria back in 1968 aimed at facilitating the entry of laborers to France. This legacy, Chenu posits, has led to increased immigration flows and zero control over the situation, claiming, "Il y a zéro maîtrise, on bat tous les records." His comments reflect the RN's position advocating for stricter immigration controls and policies which they believe would safeguard national interests.
During the discussion about budgetary matters, Chenu followed up with sharp criticism of the Socialist Party's decision to abstain from censure motions against the government. He remarked, "Le Parti socialiste s’est fait acheter à pas très cher, accusant the PS of aligning with the interests of François Bayrou and the parliamentary majority. This decision, which he sees as indicative of compromise over principle, has drawn ire from the RN, who believe the fiscal policies are detrimental to the economic situation of ordinary French citizens.
Chenu emphasized the perceived cowardice of the Socialist Party, saying they opted for small arrangements instead of defending their core values against what he believes is a harmful budget. He insists the RN is ready to present serious solutions to both the budgetary and immigration crises, urging for immediate elections to return power to the people. "La messe est dite," he declared, conveying his belief the government’s fragile parliamentary relationships cannot sustain them against forthcoming challenges.
The conversation surrounding immigration and public finance isn’t merely political theater for Chenu or the Rassemblement National; instead, it is about what he views as the fundamental integrity of French society and its future. He perceives the government is on course for collapse due to sustained dissatisfaction among the populace over how these issues are being managed. Chenu's message is clear: the RN is prepared to take action against these policies and advocate for stricter regulations and meaningful reform.
With calls for renewed political engagement and solutions to pressing immigration challenges, Chenu embodies the urgency many citizens feel. His criticisms of the government’s handling of immigration are echoed among party supporters who share his concerns about national identity and security. Whether these sentiments will resonate with the broader electorate remains to be seen, but the forthcoming months will undoubtedly shape the discourse heading toward what may be pivotal elections.
Chenu's perspective is reflective of the broader sentiments among certain factions of French politics, where immigration and fiscal policy intertwine as central themes of debate. The polarizing nature of these issues often influences public opinion and political strategies, setting the stage for tactical maneuvers as parties position themselves for future electoral battles.