In a significant blow to President Emmanuel Macron's administration, the French government suffered a defeat as its proposed immigration bill was rejected by the parliament on Monday. The bill, which aimed to address immigration policies, faced opposition from conservative MPs who called for stricter legislation on the issue.

The humiliating defeat came even before the bill could be debated, as it was rejected by a slim margin of 270 votes to 265. The loss puts the government in a challenging position, with the task of finding a way forward. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting with ministers and lawmakers to discuss possible next steps.

The government has several options to consider. It can choose to resend the rejected immigration bill back to the Senate or form a joint committee of senators and MPs to seek a compromise. Another option would be to abandon the bill altogether. However, there is also the possibility of utilizing a controversial constitutional maneuver to adopt the bill without a parliamentary vote.

Opposition parties, including the far-right National Rally and the far-left France Unbowed, celebrated the defeat of the immigration bill. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right, expressed her delight, stating that lawmakers had protected the French from the perceived negative impacts of increased migration. Meanwhile, far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon declared that it felt like the end of the road for both the bill and the government.

The rejection of the immigration bill highlights the difficulties Macron's administration has faced since losing its majority in parliamentary elections last year. With a fragmented legislature, the president has struggled to pass legislation and has relied on ad hoc deals with opposition conservative party Les Républicains.

The outcome of the vote underscores the deep divisions within French politics. While the government aimed to address immigration policies, conservative MPs pushed for tougher measures. These differences in approach have resulted in gridlock and hindered the government's ability to enact its proposed reforms.

As the French government grapples with this defeat, the future of the immigration bill remains uncertain. The rejection not only poses a challenge to Macron's administration but also raises questions about the effectiveness of his leadership in navigating the complexities of France's political landscape.