Marine Le Pen said France could force immigrants to leave if they reject its laws, tying her assimilation stance to protests that have unfolded amid economic stagnation and a rise in her poll support.
Her remarks came in a 60 Minutes interview published by CBS News Sunday. Asked about people who reject French culture and refuse to follow French laws, Le Pen said the door was “wide open” and that France might make them leave.
She argued that taking in too many immigrants can destabilize society and that newcomers should join a shared national community. Le Pen contrasted this with what she described as the American “layered cake,” where communities keep their customs while living alongside one another. She also said immigrants were more likely than French citizens to be unemployed and argued that France should not take in more unemployed people.
Discrimination was raised as a possible explanation for the job gap by 60 Minutes contributor Trevor Phillips. Le Pen rejected that explanation, saying, “No, that doesn’t exist,” and calling France “the least racist country” in the world.
Le Pen attributed the protests to economic troubles and rioters she associated with “the extreme left.” ...