The French Immigration Minister has launched a new on ‘national identity’ in the wake of ongoing controversy over the government’s immigration policy.

Eric Besson, who has recently been a media headliner for actions around Calais’ migrant camps, has announced the new debate which the opposition has called nothing more than pre-election posturing. Regional elections will be held across France in March 2010.

The debate was formally launched on Monday by Besson who, as minister of immigration and national identity, will spend close to 3 months prompting and monitoring the discussions. Several new, controversial suggestions are already on the discussion table such as the requirement for the national anthem to be taught in schools.

Officials have been asked to organise public meetings to discuss the identity question with Besson having already sent out information packs to regional offices. In addition, the immigration department has established a new website where the public can voice their opinions which are certain to be wide-ranging and at times controversial. The governing Union for a Popular Movement Party (UMP) will also be invited to the talks.

The debate has already begun in political circles with the announcement of the move prompting numerous criticisms from both the right and left.

President Nicolas Sarkozy’s left-wing opposition has denounced the move which they claim is a political exercise being used to instill support for the right-wing National Front. Sarkozy has been under media pressure recently after charges of nepotism relating to his son jean have surfaced.

He has also had to deal with pedophilia claims against one of his senior ministers with critics arguing that turning the public’s attention to traditional debate topics such as security, tax and immigration is designed to deflect the real issues.

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