Controversial immigration restriction bill proposed by his government Rishi Sunak a few days ago it seems that despite the outrage he received from EU institutional officials. and from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees calling it “a violation of the Refugee Convention”, it also found supporters on European soil.

“Well done!” the far-right German party AFD (Alternative for Germany) wrote on its Facebook account. “Time to act. When will we have it?” he added, pointing out that its members are keen to see the law implemented, according to which any illegal immigrant arriving in the country on a small boat, a typical vehicle used by migrants and refugees crossing the English Channel – if he does not have the necessary legal papers, he will be deported from the country and denied re-entry.

Across the Channel, far-right Frenchman Eric Zemour, who ran for President of France in the 2022 elections and is a well-known proponent of the “great replacement theory” in which the Islamic population seeks to supplant the “indigenous” in Europe, tweeted that “this the message is clear.” He also congratulated Sunak, who “unlike Macron, is protecting his people from the danger of immigrants.”

Italy’s Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League and deputy prime minister, called the bill “tough but fair.”

EU Immigration Commissioner Ylva Johansson, however, said she personally told UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman that her plan violated international law. “Of course, I hope he will respect international agreements and the Geneva Convention, but I have to say that at first glance they are here,” Johansson told Politico on Thursday, promising further study of the bill.

“Reasonable Amounts”

At the same time yesterday afternoon, Rishi Sunak met French President Emmanuel Macron in what was the first official meeting between the leaders of the two countries in six years. At the press conference that followed, Macron acknowledged that last year’s migration flows from France to Britain were very intense. Without commenting in detail on the new bill, he promised to support the UK, saying that France would spend “reasonable amounts”.

The new agreement to intercept illegal migrants from France concerns an increase in funding over three years from the British side by almost 550 million euros to strengthen patrols in the English Channel with the recruitment of 500 new port officers to patrol the French coast, while this will also be strengthened by drone observation. In addition, the creation of a new detention center in northern France was announced. Macron promised that France would also increase its funding, without specifying the amount.

Johnson’s problems

Earlier this week, another case emerged that embarrassed former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In particular, according to the British Times, during his tenure as Prime Minister, Johnson compiled a list of names nominated for honorary titles awarded by the British system, which included his father Stanley, as well as his close friend and former board member of the British Daily Mail, Paul Dacre.

The British newspaper Independent collected 250,000 signatures against Johnson’s chosen candidates, with opposition leader Keir Starmer calling the nomination of candidates “absolutely shameless” and urging Sunak to intervene by removing them. At the same time, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, when asked by a BBC reporter if he agreed with the candidates, replied: “The Prime Minister proposes to knight his father? No. From a fundamental point of view, I find this completely wrong.