A few sentences from Marlène Schiappa were enough to relaunch the battle for secularism on social networks and beyond.

By confirming the future abolition of the Observatory of Secularism, Sunday December 13 on Radio J, the Minister for Citizenship clearly explained what was criticized against this independent body.

"I made proposals to the Prime Minister to develop the Observatory of secularism, to strengthen the role of a structure which would not necessarily be an observatory, but a structure which would carry the word of the State", -she affirmed, specifying that Jean-Louis Bianco and Nicolas Cadène, respectively president and general rapporteur of the Observatory of laïcité, would go to the end of their mandate, fixed on April 2, 2021.

This consultative commission created in 2007 by Jacques Chirac has been under fire from criticism since the wave of attacks which hit France in 2015. Defending an open or moderate secularism, it is accused by the supporters of a more frank secularism of adopt lax positions, in particular on subjects linked to the rise of political Islamism in France.

"However, nobody could take the Observatory in default on its expertise. It is made lawsuits of intention which are not based on the facts. Jean-Louis Bianco like Nicolas Cadène only make recall the right during each of their interventions ", judges the historian specialist in secularism, Jean Baubérot, contacted by France 24.

>> To read and see on France24.com: "Separatisms": a bill "not against religions", according to Jean Castex

Thus, when a veiled mother accompanying a school trip to the Burgundy-Franche-Comté Regional Council is attacked by an elected representative of the National Gathering, in October 2019, Nicolas Cadène recalls that the ban on religious symbols is only valid for agents exercising a public service mission.

It does the same when the hearing, in the National Assembly, of a veiled student unionist is controversial in September 2020. "Obviously secularism is respected, it is a fact. [...] Secularism does not impose not neutrality to users ", he insists.

"A very clear stiffening" by Emmanuel Macron on secularism

"It is a vision of secularism that I call inclusive separatist which is defended by the representatives of the Observatory of secularism, explains Jean Baubérot. Its supporters consider that the separation between religions and the State is the heart of launches secularism, but supports an inclusive and flexible application. "

“Facing them, the supporters of Gallican secularism seem to have conquered the government, continues the historian. They want to control religions and sanctify the Republic, with particular attention paid to so-called religious clothing. In 1905, already, the deputy Charles Chabert wanted to ban the wearing of the cassock in the public space to 'free the priest.' Today we hear the same arguments for Muslim women wearing the headscarf. "

Thus, "laïcité à la française" does not exist according to Jean Baubérot, for whom seven different visions of secularism have clashed in France for 150 years according to a changing balance of power.

>> To see on France 24: THE DEBATE - France: secularism beyond prejudices

However, the security and political context allowed the heralds of an offensive secularism to win the spirits.

Represented by media figures such as Caroline Fourest or Élisabeth Badinter, this current of thought which is firm in the face of accommodation is today carried within the government by Marlène Schiappa, but also by the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, or by the Minister of National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer.

And by Emmanuel Macron himself, who has now espoused this vision, as illustrated by the bill reinforcing republican principles, presented on December 9 in the Council of Ministers.

"I observe a very clear stiffening on secularism compared to his campaign of 2017, when he warned against a 'revengeful secularism', estimates Jean Baubérot. I do not deny that, faced with recurring attacks, either tempting, but the way to act is counterproductive. "

Lively debates expected at the National Assembly

The law reinforcing the republican principles will allow in particular an increased control of the functioning and the financing of associations, of which the most controversial have already been dissolved (CCIF, BarakaCity), as well as places of worship, while the government has launched operations against dozens of mosques "suspected of separatism".

"As for the Observatory of secularism, associations with a discourse that does not stick with the official discourse are targeted, estimates the specialist in secularism. However, the unintended effects may be considerable. This recalls the beginning of the 20th century when the Third Republic fought the Catholics with ever stronger measures, leading the country to the brink of civil war, before the situation was pacified thanks to the law of 1905. "

>> Read also on France24.com: The law of 1905, the founding text of "French-style" secularism

In addition to many left-wing deputies, a number of elected members of the majority share Jean Baubérot's fears.

The oppositions at work on the subject of the Observatory of secularism should therefore be found in the National Assembly during the debates on the bill consolidating the republican principles, at the beginning of 2021.

The deputy president of the deputies La République en Marche (LREM), Aurore Bergé, intends to demand a ban on the wearing of the veil for young girls.

Conversely, the number one of LREM, Stanislas Guerini, insisted, Thursday, December 10, on the "global strategy" of the majority in the fight against separatism by emphasizing its "two legs": order republican and equal opportunity.

"Two visions clash", on the one hand "combat secularism", on the other the desire not to stigmatize Islam and promote equal opportunities, observes a parliamentary source quoted by AFP .

If the Observatory of laïcité is indeed doomed, the debate on "laïcité à la française" should survive it for a long time to come.

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