Lyon Mayor Opposes New Veil Laws, Advocates Education to Address Islamic Headscarf Issue

The issue of wearing the Islamic veil continues to divide the French political class. Gérard Collomb, one of the President’s staunch supporters, chose France info to give his opinion on the subject.

"I think it is more through practice, through knowledge than through the proposal of new laws that we would have difficulty enforcing," he said.

According to the Mayor of the city of Lyon, the problem is rather in the "law that is given by the city to impose the veil on women, on young girls". He adds: "It is fought through culture, through education, it is fought by saying that Islam is a diverse religion".

In other words, Gérard Collomb disagrees with a law on the Islamic veil, preferring the issue to be resolved through education.

Furthermore, the former Minister of the Interior has, in particular, insisted on a "fundamental difference" that exists, according to him, between the burqa and the "veil of Maghrebi grandmothers" in France.

As he has just been endorsed by LREM in Lyon and its metropolis for the municipal elections, Gérard Collomb also spoke out on community lists that he believes should rather be "discouraged" than banned.