French President Nicolas Sarkozy (in picture) has threatened to yank France out of the Schengen Area agreement, citing insufficient EU border control of illegal immigration. In a move French newspaper Le Figaro described as Sarkozy “getting out the heavy artillery,” he gave a twelve month ultimatum for improvement before a threatened pull out. “The Schengen Agreement is no longer fit for the gravity of the situation. It must be revised,” said Sarkozy, quoted by Le Figaro.

It is the latest move in what appears to be an ongoing attempt to woo the French far right, ahead of his fight to win another term as president. Last week, Sarkozy said there are “too many foreigners” in France and that he wants to reduce annual immigration to the country from the current 190,000 to 100,000. Opinion polls currently put Sarkozy in second place, behind socialist candidate, Francois Hollande, and ahead of the ultra right wing Marine Le Pen.

Romanian and Bulgarian membership of the visa free zone has been hampered by other member states wishing to continue immigration controls on Romanians and Bulgarians. The Netherlands continues to oppose membership for Romania and Bulgaria and a decision has been postponed until December.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com