French Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Codevelopment

The Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Codevelopment of France is a ministry that was created by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007. Sarkozy had suggested the formation of such a government agency during his 2007 bid for the Presidency.

Sarkozy was inaugurated on 16 May 2007, and soon afterward announced the composition of his government. He appointed Brice Hortefeux to head the newly-announced Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-development (in French, L'immigration, l'integration, l'asile et le developpement solidaire). Hortefeux was later replaced by Eric Besson.

Role of the Ministry

• To rein in migration flows
• To foster codevelopment
• To improve the social integration of migrants
• To promote the national identity^[1]

Controversy

When Nicolas Sarcozy presented his intention to create this ministry if elected, a spirited debate over its necessity and impact ensued.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Missions and role" (in English). Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Codevelopment of France. http://www.immigration.gouv.fr/spip.php?page=dossiers_det_org&numrubrique=311&numarticle=1331. 
2. ^ "Polémique autour du ministère de l'immigration proposé par Sarkozy" (in French). La Croix. 11/03/2007. http://www.la-croix.com/article/index.jsp?docId=2297252&rubId=4076. 

• Official website