France cuts back visas for Maghreb nationals over immigration policy

FILE PHOTO: French Government's spokesperson Gabriel Attal attends the questions to the government session at the National Assembly in Paris, France, September 21, 2021. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) - France will slash the number of visas available to nationals from Maghreb countries because of their governments' refusal to take back illegal migrants sent home by the French authorities, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Tuesday.

Immigration is becoming a key campaign issue for the French presidential election set for April next year, with right-wing and far-right parties challenging centrist President Emmanuel Macron's policies. Macron has not yet said whether he will stand for re-election.