The recent murder of a 12-year girl has left France shocked. The gruesome murder has now given rise to criticism of the nation's immigration policies.

The child who has only been identified as 'Lola' was found raped and murdered, her brutalised body stuffed in a trunk. A 24-year-old woman with psychiatric issues who was later identified as an illegal immigrant was charged with the crime.&nbsp;On Tuesday French President Macron met with the victim's family and "offered his condolences".

AFP reports that some politicians in the opposition have already started using the murder to attack Macron's government and its immigration policies.

Reportedly, the suspect, an Algerian, was in France on a student visa, which had expired. She had been ordered to leave the country for overstaying the visa.&nbsp;

Speaking during a regular government questions session in the French Parliament, far-right leader Marine Le Pen said "too many crimes are being committed by clandestine immigrants one has not been able or willing to deport." &nbsp;

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"You owe it to us to come up with urgent answers and uncompromising solutions to make sure the law is applied and respected in our country," Le Pen said to Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who as per Reuters had admonished the far-right leader asking her to "show some decency."

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti too expressed his disappointment with Le Pen over her statement in the Parliament calling it "petty politics".

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"I'll speak as I find. Doing petty politics, using the coffin of a 12-year-old girl as a stepping stone, is shameful," he said adding that be it may that the suspect was ordered to leave France, it is not known whether her lawyer had appealed the order. He further said that in case an appeal had been filed, the suspect would've been in her right to stay in the country.&nbsp;

Addressing the chamber he accused Le Pen of taking advantage of circumstances. He said that "you're always there when tragedy strikes, you've been making hay out of it for years."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The recent murder of a 12-year girl has left France shocked. The gruesome murder has now given rise to criticism of the nation's immigration policies. The child who has only been identified as 'Lola' was found raped and murdered, her brutalised body stuffed in a trunk.

The recent murder of a 12-year girl has left France shocked. The gruesome murder has now given rise to criticism of the nation's immigration policies. The child who has only been identified as 'Lola' was found raped and murdered, her brutalised body stuffed in a trunk. A 24-year-old woman with psychiatric issues who was later identified as an illegal immigrant was charged with the crime. On Tuesday French President Macron met with the victim's family and "offered his condolences". AFP reports that some politicians in the opposition have already started using the murder to attack Macron's government and its immigration policies. Reportedly, the suspect, an Algerian, was in France on a student visa, which had expired. She had been ordered to leave the country for overstaying the visa. Speaking during a regular government questions session in the French Parliament, far-right leader Marine Le Pen said "too many crimes are being committed by clandestine immigrants one has not been able or willing to deport." Also read | Shocking! 12-year-old girl found in box in Paris, woman charged with rape and murder "You owe it to us to come up with urgent answers and uncompromising solutions to make sure the law is applied and respected in our country," Le Pen said to Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who as per Reuters had admonished the far-right leader asking her to "show some decency." Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti too expressed his disappointment with Le Pen over her statement in the Parliament calling it "petty politics". Also read | Man found guilty of killing California student Kristin Smart in 1996 "I'll speak as I find. Doing petty politics, using the coffin of a 12-year-old girl as a stepping stone, is shameful," he said adding that be it may that the suspect was ordered to leave France, it is not known whether her lawyer had appealed the order. He further said that in case an appeal had been filed, the suspect would've been in her right to stay in the country. Addressing the chamber he accused Le Pen of taking advantage of circumstances. He said that "you're always there when tragedy strikes, you've been making hay out of it for years." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Have some decency': French oppn questions Macron's immigration policies over murder of 12-year-old Lola

The French elections headed for a runoff between Emmanuel Macron and&nbsp;Marine Le Pen&nbsp;as the first round projections&nbsp;appeared to be on the knife's edge suggesting the French president held a slender 28.6 to 29.7 per cent lead over his far-right rival. The final results have still not been declared.

Macron and Marine Le Pen will now compete in a runoff which will be held on April 24 with&nbsp;the presidential elections in balance.&nbsp;

There were 12 candidates in the fray for the presidential polls&nbsp;with Macron and Le Pen, 53, now ready to fight for the coveted post.&nbsp;According to projections, Republican candidate Valerie Pecresse finished in fifth place.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-regrets-entering-frances-presidential-race-late-as-le-pen-cuts-lead-469367">Also Read:&nbsp; Macron regrets entering France's presidential race late as Le Pen cuts lead</a>

Macron held the edge over Le Pen in the first round of voting as other candidates fell away.

Le Pen had earlier declared that this would be her last presidential election even as French term limits would disallow Macron from re-election in 2027.

Watch: Will Emmanuel Macron get a second term?

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The French president declared that the "next 15 days will be decisive for France and Europe" ahead of the crucial runoff. Macron had earlier held a ten-point lead but it was shaved off consistently by Le Pen with a campaign focussed on living costs as she&nbsp;promised to "bring order back to France".

Le Pen had concentrated on grassroots campaigning while bringing her party close to the mainstream even as Macron, 44, who had won the presidential election in 2017 enjoyed&nbsp;a comfortable lead in the polls. Macron promised tax cuts and raise in the retirement age as elections neared.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The French elections headed for a runoff between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as the first round projections appeared to be on the knife's edge suggesting the French president held a slender 28.

The French elections headed for a runoff between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as the first round projections appeared to be on the knife's edge suggesting the French president held a slender 28.6 to 29.7 per cent lead over his far-right rival. The final results have still not been declared. Macron and Marine Le Pen will now compete in a runoff which will be held on April 24 with the presidential elections in balance. There were 12 candidates in the fray for the presidential polls with Macron and Le Pen, 53, now ready to fight for the coveted post. According to projections, Republican candidate Valerie Pecresse finished in fifth place. Also Read: Macron regrets entering France's presidential race late as Le Pen cuts lead Macron held the edge over Le Pen in the first round of voting as other candidates fell away. Le Pen had earlier declared that this would be her last presidential election even as French term limits would disallow Macron from re-election in 2027. Watch: Will Emmanuel Macron get a second term? The French president declared that the "next 15 days will be decisive for France and Europe" ahead of the crucial runoff. Macron had earlier held a ten-point lead but it was shaved off consistently by Le Pen with a campaign focussed on living costs as she promised to "bring order back to France". Le Pen had concentrated on grassroots campaigning while bringing her party close to the mainstream even as Macron, 44, who had won the presidential election in 2017 enjoyed a comfortable lead in the polls. Macron promised tax cuts and raise in the retirement age as elections neared. (With inputs from Agencies)

French elections: Macron faces Le Pen in presidential runoff

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen slams Macron and his government during the presentation of her counter-proposal to the antiseparatism bill. The president of the Rassemblement National party vows to ban the wearing of the veil and says the "Islamist offensive" is part of "a total war being waged against us".

France's Marine Le Pen proposes a ban on Muslim headscarf