Connect with us

Headline

France Bans Nigerian students, others From Bringing Family, Delays Benefits

Published

on

The French parliament has passed legislation toughening France’s immigration policy.

The amended bill was backed by both President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN).
The vote divided Mr Macron’s party, and Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau resigned in protest.
Leaders of a third of French regions said they would not comply with certain measures in the law.
A previous draft was rejected by parliament last week when the National Rally as well as the left voted against. In response, the government redrafted the bill, making some of its provisions tougher.
The new legislation makes it more difficult for migrants to bring family members to France and delays their access to welfare benefits.
It also bans detaining minors in detention centres.
A controversial provision discriminates between citizens and migrants, even those living in the country legally, in determining eligibility for benefits.
The tougher version appealed to right-wing parties, who backed it on Monday.
Ms Le Pen welcomed the amended bill, calling it an “ideological victory” for the far-right.
“This is our bill,” said Eric Ciotti, the leader of the right-wing Republican party. He called it “firm and courageous”.

But left-wingers said Mr Macron was enabling the far-right. “History will remember those who betrayed their convictions,” Socialist party leader Olivier Faure said.
32 of France’s 101 departments, including Paris, said they would refuse to implement the provisions of the law on benefits for non-citizens.
The French vote came hours before an EU agreement to reform the asylum system across the bloc’s 27 member states.
The new pact, agreed by EU governments and European Parliament members, includes creating border detention centres and enabling the quicker deportation of rejected asylum seekers.
Hailed as a landmark agreement by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, the new system allows asylum seekers to be relocated from southern member states, which have the highest numbers of arrivals, to other countries.
It still has to be formally approved by the Parliament and member states.
The new French legislation exposed divisions within the governing alliance. 27 MPs voted against while 32 abstained – almost a quarter of pro-Macron MPs.
Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau, who was a member of the Communist party in his youth, stepped down in protest at the immigration law.
“Some measures in the bill make me very uncomfortable,” said Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of the lower house of parliament and a member of Mr Macron’s party.
The bill would have passed if Ms Le Pen’s party had abstained, though not if it had voted against. The government pointed to the size of its majority to argue that it did not depend on National Rally votes.
Speaking after the vote, the prime minister accepted some measures in the law might not be constitutional.
“We will ask the Constitutional Council,” she told French radio, referring to a top court which upholds the constitution’s principles.
Human rights groups denounced the new reform as the most regressive immigration law for decades.
Mr Macron’s party lost its majority in parliament in elections in June 2022. Since then, the government has frequently found itself unable to win votes in parliament.

Headline

INEC Disowns Labour Party National Convention

Published

on

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned Wednesday’s Labour Party (LP) National Convention in Anambra.

Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

Oyekanmi said that the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, declining to state further why it was not monitored.

NAN, however, reports that the LP had on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi, Anambra State.

Speaking on the change in venue, Mr Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, told newsmen that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

“No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi, to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi.

“So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and time,” Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

Continue Reading

Headline

Labour Party Reserves 2027 Presidential Ticket For Peter Obi

Published

on

Emerging from its National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday, the Labour Party (LP) has made a decisive move regarding its 2027 presidential ticket.

According to a Communiqué issued after the convention, the party reserved the presidential ticket for its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi and offered Governor Otti of Abia State the right of first refusal.

The decision was signed by the re-elected National Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Julius Abure, and National Secretary, Umar Faruk Ibrahim.

By reserving the ticket for Peter Obi, the Labour Party said it aims to position itself for a strong and competitive showing in the 2027 polls.

Peter Obi, a seasoned politician and former Governor of Anambra State, brings a wealth of experience and political acumen to the table, a
according to the party.

The party also said Governor Otti’s potential candidacy adds depth and diversity to the party’s electoral strategy, potentially broadening its appeal to voters nationwide.

Continue Reading

Facebook

Trending