The push for a referendum on immigration is gaining momentum in France.

A survey conducted by CSA for news outlets Cnews and Journal du Dimanche (JDD) published on 20 February, showed that almost seven in 10 French citizens wanted a national referendum on immigration, while only 32 per cent remained opposed. Support for such a move has been steadily rising, climbing from 65 per cent in August 2023 to 66 per cent in December and now it has reached its highest level yet, according to the Brussels Signal news site.

The data showed that migration issues in France account for a vast divide between left and right.

The referendum proposal has had strong backing from the French right, with 78 per cent of right-wing voters supporting the idea. Among left-wing sympathisers, the picture was completely different — just 33 per cent approved of a referendum on the issue.

The data also revealed that young people aged between 18 and 24 were in favour of holding a national vote on migration, with 73 per cent in agreement.

.Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a known conservative, called for one on February 16, arguing that it could help “reinvigorate national sovereignty” in the country.

He argued that Western leaders “do not follow the aspirations of their people” anymore, which he said was detrimental to Western democracies.

Centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou called for a national debate on immigration the following day. Mr. Bayrou acknowledged what he described as the public’s growing “feeling of submersion” regarding mass immigration in France, a concern that has increasingly fuelled demands for decisive action.

François Bayrou parle de „submersion” migratoire, suscitant des réactions á gauche. Pourtant, 65% des Français soutiennent ses propos, selon un sondage CSA pour Europe 1, CNews et JDD. #Migration https://t.co/QhyNkGzsNb

— NeonJime (@neonjime) January 29, 2025

According to the French constitution, the President has the authority to initiate a referendum, in this case Emmanuel Macron. While he expressed support for “giving the people a voice again”, hinting at a potential referendum during his 2025 New Year’s speech, he has yet to take any concrete steps in that direction.