Mayor of Chessy Resigns Over Refusal to Wed Undocumented Immigrant, Sparking Debate on Rule of Law

Olivier Bourjot, the mayor of Chessy in Seine-et-Marne, resigned on December 15 along with his deputies after refusing to officiate a marriage involving a man with an irregular immigration status facing an obligation to leave the territory. This act stirred significant political controversy in France, highlighting tensions between upholding the rule of law and immigration rights.

Bruno Retailleau, president of the Les Républicains party, called for constitutional changes to empower citizens in such cases, arguing the current legal framework conflicts with national interests. Eric Zemmour of the Reconquête party echoed concerns about the perceived distortion of legal norms against French citizens. Meanwhile, the Conseil constitutionnel affirmed that the freedom to marry is a personal liberty protected by the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, emphasizing that irregular immigration status should not obstruct this right.

Government officials expressed nuanced positions. Spokesperson Maud Bregeon supported Bourjot's stance but acknowledged the legal complexities, noting citizens’ difficulty in understanding the situation. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez found the case shocking yet recognized the imperative to respect the law.

This incident has intensified debates concerning immigration policy enforcement in France amidst broader European discussions, although the European Parliament’s recent adoption of stricter migration measures through right-wing alliances was more indirectly related to this case. Bourjot’s resignation underscores the fraught intersection of local governance, immigration challenges, and fundamental rights in contemporary French politics.