Emmanuel Macron could amend the law of 1905 on the separation of church and state, said Monday, November 5 the newspaper Opinion. Consultations must be held with the various representatives of religions in France.

The government is considering amending the 1905 law on the separation of churches and the state and will begin to consult representatives of the cults "as early as next week , " said Monday the ministers of Justice and Interior.

This grooming does not affect the main principles of freedom of religion and neutrality of the state, but aims to better regulate the financing of Islam in France, according to the newspaper the Opinion which reveals Monday the contents of an avant-garde bill on the subject.

"It's not a question of rewriting the law of 1905," said Nicole Belloubet of France Inter, stating: "It has been so many times (amended), it is possible that it is again " .

A discussion paper

"Reflections are ongoing" and consultations must be held "next week with all representatives of the cults," said on his side the Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner, on the sidelines of a visit to the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI).

The draft bill unveiled by the Opinion is "a document of reflection (...), nothing other than that," he warned. This text was designed to prepare a bill that could be "tabled in Parliament early 2019," according to the newspaper.

The document provides in particular to encourage religious associations to seek a state label: an "administrative stamp" issued for five years would recognize the "cult quality" of the association, allow it to enjoy the tax benefits related to the law of 1905, and could be withdrawn in case of default. This provision must make Muslim structures more transparent: many of them currently choose to be governed by a statute obeying the 1901 law on associations only.

Fight against radical preachers

The government is also seeking to "limit foreign influence" on mosques, according to the Opinion . Gifts over 10,000 euros made by a foreign state, company or individual should be declared, subject to a fine, "subject to possible confiscation" .

To improve the financing of the cults, the text envisages to allow the associations to finance themselves thanks to the rental income of the buildings which they possess. If their accounting is considered transparent, they could also claim public subsidies "for repairs and energy renovation" religious buildings.

The draft also plans to beef up the fight against radical preachers. Sanctions for obstructing worship or incitement to break the law would be increased. An "anti-coup" provision should serve as a "legal shield" against the "unfriendly takeovers" of associations by some preachers.