Separatism: the government defends its "medicine" in front of the deputies
Audio 01:18
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, with Prime Minister Jean Castex, at the National Assembly on January 26, 2021. AFP - BERTRAND GUAY
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
This Monday, February 1 began the examination in the National Assembly of the bill "consolidating respect for the principles of the Republic".
A particularly important text for the five-year term of Emmanuel Macron, which aims to fight in particular against radical Islamism.
But the bill deeply divides the political class, as shown on the first day of debates in the hemicycle.
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The Élysée has made it one of the priorities at the end of its five-year term.
So when Gérald Darmanin launches before the deputies, the Minister of the Interior uses the rhetoric of the moment: “
Our country is sick, sick of separatism, the first of which, Islamist separatism, is damaging our national unity.
And the drug proposed by our government is to strengthen Republican principles.
"
And yet, the law casts a wider net.
It intends to better control the functioning of associations, the financing of cults, but also home education or hate messages on social networks.
Too repressive for part of the opposition.
One of the most virulent, Jean-Luc Mélenchon has also launched a long indictment to defend a motion of rejection.
Without success on the part of the leader of France Insoumise.
"
You are making a law which in our eyes is a useless law for some of them, since it only repeats what already exists, and for the rest dangerous.
All religions agree that your law threatens them.
"
The right wants to discuss the wearing of the veil
The left is not convinced.
For her, the social aspect of the bill is almost non-existent.
The right, it reproaches the majority for being too shy.
She still plans to be able to discuss the wearing of the veil for minors in public spaces.
The debates promise to be
tense
and should last two weeks.
►
To read also: France: the law on "separatism" is "not against religions", assures Jean Castex
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