"You get the impression that the borders are as porous as a sieve, and that migration flows are not under control. We are going to change that," Barnier said last week during his first TV interview since taking office.
According to French media reports, Barnier is also planning a dedicated Immigration Ministry. Such a ministry would also signal that Barnier, from the conservative Republican party, is taking his cue from the presidency of fellow party member Nicolas Sarkozy.
Sarkozy's hard-line immigration policy temporarily succeeded in stopping the rise of the extreme right-wing National Front. Barnier's government depends on far right today.
Today, the former National Front, now renamed the National Rally (RN) and headed by Marine Le Pen, has made a comeback. It was the strongest French party in the recent European elections.
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