Paris murder sparks political clash over immigration laws and safety

In France, politicians have spoken out following the murder of a 19-year-old student in Paris; the suspected perpetrator is a Moroccan citizen who was arrested in Geneva. He had previously been convicted but was not deported despite an order. The Minister of the Interior has announced decisive actions, while the far right pressures the government.

The student, named Philippine, went missing on Friday, and her body was found a day later in the Bois de Boulogne in the western part of Paris. On Tuesday, a 22-year-old Moroccan citizen, who had previously been convicted of rape in France and was supposed to be deported, was arrested; however, the order was not carried out.

The tragedy occurred in a complex political situation, with the far right calling for stricter immigration laws and playing a pivotal role in determining the fate of the newly appointed government. The head of the National Rally (formerly Marine Le Pen's National Front), Jordan Bardella, accused the authorities of being too lenient on issues of security and immigration.

- It’s time for the government to take action; our compatriots are furious and will not be satisfied with mere words - Bardella announced on Tuesday on social media.

The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, stated on Wednesday that the task of the authorities is now to develop a "legal arsenal" to "protect the French people". The minister, a politician from the conservative right, had previously supported stricter immigration laws, and his appointment was seen as a sign of potential changes in this area.

France issues the most deportation orders among all EU countries. Still, they are poorly enforced due to bureaucratic obstacles and the reluctance of countries to which individuals are to be deported. In the first quarter of 2024, over 34,000 citizens of non-EU countries were ordered to leave. In practice, about 4,000 were actually deported.