France, Feb. 24 -- Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's recent remarks that there was a feeling France was being "flooded" by foreigners outraged the left, but were welcomed by conservatives and the far right. While research shows there is no migrant "flood", perceptions are another matter. But what story do the figures tell?
"Foreign contributions are a positive for a people, so long as they remain proportionate," Bayrou said in a television interviewin late January. "But as soon as you get the feeling of being flooded, of no longer recognising your own country, its lifestyle and its culture, there is a rejection." He added that France was "approaching" this threshold.
With his use of the word "flood" Bayrouemployed terms more commonly used ...