French Lawmakers Struggle to Reach Consensus on Immigration Legislation

French lawmakers have reached a tentative deal on a controversial immigration bill that will toughen immigration laws, highlighting the challenges faced by President Emmanuel Macron in governing without a parliamentary majority. The bill, which aims to make it easier for migrants in labor-short sectors to obtain residency permits while tightening access to welfare, has been watered down to gain support from the right. The deal, skewed to the right due to the presence of conservative senators, has been hailed as an ideological victory by Marine Le Pen's far-right party and the conservative Les Republicains. Passage of the bill in parliament would be a boost for Macron ahead of the European parliament elections.