Macron's government to send controversial immigration bill back to a parliamentary committee

A general view of the National Assembly in Paris, on 11 December, 2023. AP - Michel Euler

France's government insisted Tuesday it would implement tough measures against illegal migrants as it battled a political crisis following the rejection of its flagship immigration bill in the lower house of parliament on Monday.

In a surprise move on Monday, members of the opposition joined forces in parliament's National Assembly to vote down the controversial legislation without even debating it, sparking a political crisis.