PARIS, Oct 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he was not opposed to introducing quotas for migrants, part of an effort by his government to heed voters’ concerns about immigration that are being seized upon by political rivals.
The government, closely allied to President Emmanuel Macron, is walking a political tightrope because it is under pressure too from its own supporters who opposed any measures they view as pandering to the far-right.
Setting out the government’s position in a parliamentary hearing on immigration, Philippe said it was important to act with humanity towards migrants.
But he said: “The question of being steered by targets for admissions for residency is not a taboo. I’m not afraid of thinking about the idea of quotas.”
Philippe also said there would be a review of the system for providing free medical care to immigrants who do not have official status in France – a system that critics say is open to exploitation by illegal migrants.
“France should take care of all those who live on its territory. But it should be neither more, nor less, attractive than its neighbours,” he said.
France last year recorded 123,000 asylum requests, an increase of 22 per cent on the previous year.
