French Lawmakers Reach Compromise on Controversial Immigration Bill

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen claims an "ideological victory" as Emmanuel Macron's government reaches a compromise with hardline conservatives on a tougher immigration bill. The bill includes measures such as hardening access to state benefits for recently-arrived immigrants, echoing some far-right ideas. While the bill falls short of the far-right's demands, Le Pen sees it as a step in their direction. Macron's government needs the support of the conservative Les Républicains party to pass the legislation, which has become very hardline on immigration. The draft legislation risks splitting Macron's coalition, with left-leaning centrists threatening not to vote for a much tougher bill.