By opposing immigration for work, François Ruffin has revived an old fracture within the French left. His April 28 statement has isolated the former Insoumis from his political partners.
On April 28, François Ruffin stated: “Moi, je suis hostile à l’immigration pour le travail. Je ne veux pas que ce qu’on a fait hier sur l’industrie, la métallurgie, on le refasse aujourd’hui sur les services.” The remark came as Emmanuel Macron criticized those wanting to clash with Algeria.
A Socialist Party official responded that Ruffin had “shot himself in the foot” and that the view did not fit the political space of the unitaires primary.
Ruffin’s partners and rivals have isolated him from the rest of the left. Previously seen as a potential favorite for the primary, the Picard deputy now finds his standing weakened inside his own camp.