Macron mulls migrant quotas in face of threat from Le Pen

THE French interior minister has raised the possibility of immigration quotas after Emmanuel Macron said migration would be a central issue in the next presidential election.

Christophe Castaner, one of the president’s most controversial ministers because of his tough stance on policing “yellow vest” protests, ruled out introducing quotas for refugees granted asylum. But he said they might apply to other migrants.

In an interview published in Le Journal du Dimanche yesterday, he said: “In respect of asylum, quotas are contrary to our international commitments and my personal ethics.

“Any request for asylum must be considered, which does not mean accepted. But the question of quotas for other forms of legal immigration may be posed.”

Last week, Édouard Philippe, the conservative prime minister, suggested holding an annual debate on migration and questioned why the number of asylum seekers “continued to rise by about 22 per cent” in France last year, despite a 10 per cent fall across the European Union.

Mr Macron believes migration laws are insufficient, according to aides. The president mooted the idea of quotas in a letter to the public at the height of the “yellow vest” crisis in January.

Senior figures such as Gérald Darmanin, his Right-wing budget minister, “believe immigration explains voting patterns across France and is the main reason for the popularity of the National Rally,” the hard-right party fronted by Marine Le Pen, a presidential adviser said.