France threatens to pull out of Europe’s borderless travel zone ...

[pampango]

French President and conservative candidate for the 2012 French presidential elections Nicolas Sarkozy
arrives to deliver a speech at a political campaign rally in Le Raincy, near Paris, Thursday, April 26, 2012.

In the heat of France’s presidential election campaign, the French government insisted Thursday that if the European Union didn’t back its tougher line to fight illegal immigration it would lead to the demise of the continent’s borderless travel zone.

French Interior Minister Claude Gueant said many of the EU nations back the principle of a Franco-German proposal that includes a reintroduction of national border controls for a month, if a country is faced with a sudden surge of illegal immigration.

Immigration has vaulted high into the French campaign following the strong performance of far-right, anti-immigration candidate Marine Le Pen in Sunday’s first round balloting. Many pollsters say conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy needs to recoup a good chunk of her electorate to stand a chance of winning his tough re-election battle in the May 6 runoff.

Together with the common euro currency, which already is under threat because of the financial crisis, the borderless travel principle through much of the EU is seen as one of its greatest palpable achievements. Last month, Sarkozy said he would pull France out of Schengen in a year, if he is re-elected and if the EU doesn’t do more against illegal immigration.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/france-threatens-to-pull-out-of-europes-borderless-travel-zone-if-its-concerns-are-not-met/2012/04/26/gIQAHTlAjT_story.html

[Snake Alchemist]

1. Not a surprise. nt