The French government was battling to salvage a flagship immigration reform on Tuesday, December 19, following deadlock in parliament that risks casting a shadow over French President Emmanuel Macron's second mandate.

After the government bill was rejected by parliament last week, a joint parliamentary commission of MPs and Senators began work on Monday to find a compromise text. They suspended their session after midnight without a breakthrough before resuming in the morning. The government regards the legislation – which generally tightens immigration rules – as crucial to seizing the initiative on the issue from the far-right.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, the ambitious 41-year-old who has spearheaded the legislation, warned on Sunday that far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen risks winning the 2027 presidential election if the bill is not passed.

Passing the legislation is also critical for Macron who cannot stand again in 2027 after two consecutive terms and is extremely wary of being seen as a lame duck with over three years left of his final mandate.