(AFP) Prime Minister Francois Bayrou felt compelled on Tuesday to defend remarks about immigrants “flooding” France after drawing sharp rebukes, including from his allies, but winning applause from the anti-immigration right.
The leftist opposition accused Bayrou of spreading far-right ideas and centrist allies also criticised him, while immigration hardliners in the government and outside praised his suggestion.
“Foreign contributions are a positive for a people, so long as they remain proportionate,” Bayrou had told the LCI news channel late Monday.
“But as soon as you get the feeling of flooding, of no longer recognising your own country, its lifestyle and its culture, rejection appears.”
