François Bayrou’s Comments on “Migration Submersion”: A Divisive Debate Among Politicians

Prime Minister François Bayrou has once again defended his comments made during his interview on LCI on January 27, where he referred to a “sense of migration submersion.” His statement, made in response to a question about immigration, sparked strong controversy, both on the left and within his own camp. Bayrou insisted that the term referred specifically to the situation in Mayotte, and that it was “the most appropriate word for the reality” of the island, adding, “It’s not the words that are shocking, it’s the realities.”

Strong Reactions from the Left and Oppositions

On the left, reactions were particularly fierce. Ecologist MP Cyrielle Chatelain expressed her “extreme shock,” condemning the use of the term “migration submersion.” She argued that this rhetoric was completely disconnected from reality, pointing out that the proportion of foreigners in France remains low and that the figures have not seen a significant increase. Meanwhile, Manuel Bompard (LFI) called Bayrou’s remarks “extremely shocking” and claimed they closely resembled rhetoric from the far right. LFI leader Mathilde Panot also criticized the comments as “absolutely false” and inappropriate, adding that the migration issue should be addressed differently, especially in the context of climate change.

Support from the Government and the National Rally

However, Bayrou found support within the government, notably from Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who argued that the term “proportion” was a fair approach to better managing immigration. Justice Minister Bruno Retailleau also backed this view, emphasizing that a balance was necessary to integrate and assimilate foreigners into the country. For the National Rally, Bayrou’s remarks were seen as a positive sign, but party vice-president Sébastien Chenu pointed out that concrete actions were still missing, calling for tangible measures. Marine Le Pen, for her part, demanded real actions in response to these observations.

François Bayrou’s statements on immigration continue to fuel a deep division within the French political landscape, with mixed opinions on the terminology used and the solutions proposed to address this sensitive issue.