The push for a referendum on immigration in France has gained momentum, with 68 per cent of the public now said to be in favour of putting the issue to a vote.
A survey conducted by CSA for news outlets Cnews and Journal du Dimanche (JDD) published on February 20, showed that almost seven in 10 French citizens wanted a national referendum on immigration, while only 32 per cent remained opposed.
Support for such a move has been steadily rising, climbing from 65 per cent in August 2023 to 66 per cent in December and now it has reached its highest level yet.
The data showed that migration issues in France illustrated a vast divide between Left and Right.
The ballot proposal has had strong backing from the French Right, with 78 per cent of right-wing voters supporting the idea.
Among left-wing sympathisers the picture was completely different—just 33 per cent approved of a referendum on the issue.
Only 24 per cent of Socialist Party voters supported it, alongside 38 per cent of Greens and 42 per cent of hard-left La France Insoumise (LFI) supporters.
The data also revealed that young people aged between 18 and 24 were in favour of holding a national vote on migration, with 73 per cent in agreement.
Political figures have also been pushing for a ballot.
Conservative interior minister Bruno Retailleau called for one on February 16, arguing it could help “reinvigorate national sovereignty” in the country.
He argued that Western leaders “do not follow the aspirations of their people” anymore, which he said was detrimental to Western democracies.
Centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou called for a national debate on immigration the following day.
Bayrou acknowledged what he described as the public’s growing “feeling of submersion” regarding mass immigration in France, a concern that has increasingly fuelled demands for decisive action.
According to the French constitution, the President has the authority to initiate a referendum, in this case Emmanuel Macron.
While he expressed support for “giving the people a voice again”, hinting at a potential referendum during his 2025 New Year’s speech, he has yet to take any concrete steps in that direction.
France’s centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou has spoken of what he said was growing unease among citizens about the influx of migrants to the country. https://t.co/orqDcBme9Y
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 28, 2025
