FRANCE PERSPECTIVE

Paris, June 21, 2026. The European Parliament's vote in favor of the 'Return Regulation', adopted Wednesday, June 18 by a wide majority, immediately crystallized in France a political divide revealing power dynamics ahead of the presidential election. The text, the product of an agreement concluded June 1 among EU member states, Parliament, and the Commission, fundamentally toughens the Union's migration policy and authorizes the creation of 'return platforms'—detention centers located outside EU borders, intended for asylum-rejected migrants and persons subject to return orders.

Édouard Philippe became the first senior French political figure to clearly support the text. In an interview with La Tribune Dimanche on June 21, the presidential candidate called the regulation 'good' and stated that 'France can reasonably use this solution'. While claiming it will be 'interesting to see how our neighbors use it', Philippe seeks to occupy rightist terrain at a distance from a head of state perceived as unpopular on immigration.

Emmanuel Macron took the opposite stance. The president sharply criticized the 'return hubs', calling them neither 'effective' nor consistent with 'the principles that define us'. The Élysée's position reflects wariness toward a mechanism whose deployment remains at each member state's discretion: several European countries—Germany, Greece, Italy—are already in talks with third countries to negotiate bilateral agreements, while France observes from the sidelines without committing.

Criticism also emerged from the international stage. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk declared Saturday, June 20 that he 'deeply regrets' the new legislation, reminding that 'EU member states cannot simply outsource to third countries their human rights obligations'. He stressed the high risks of human dignity violations, particularly for vulnerable persons and children, emphasizing the necessity to uphold the 'fundamental principle of non-refoulement'.

On the factual front, the assessment driving reform speaks volumes: today in the EU, only about 20 percent of expulsion decisions for irregular foreign nationals actually result in effective returns. This statistic, vigorously criticized by proponents of a harder line, prompted the European Commission to introduce a year ago the now-adopted text. Human rights NGOs and leftist lawmakers opposed it from the outset.

The regulation stipulates that 'return platforms' be established in countries deemed 'safe', respecting human rights and international law. Yet concrete conditions for receiving expelled persons will depend primarily on bilateral agreements concluded case-by-case, the principal focal point of concerns. In France, this debate intertwines with presidential campaign calculations, as Philippe attempts to distinguish himself from Macron on immigration while avoiding association with the National Rally—a delicate political tightrope.