Mélenchon Slams ’Dangerous’ French Republican Values Bill as Debate Begins

"It is a useless law and for the rest dangerous, because it threatens freedoms," said Mr. Mélenchon. It opens the door to an onslaught that we know all too well targeting Muslims." He criticized one of the provisions of the text. This is the republican commitment contract for associations. For him, it is an "absurd oath of allegiance". "We have other things to do than talk about Islam and a hodgepodge of amalgams," fumed the leader of the "Insoumis" with anger.

As a prelude to the debate on the draft law "strengthening the principles of the Republic", Mr. Mélenchon defended a motion for a prior rejection but this did not receive the assent of the deputies present, especially those of the majority who were in number. Four of them voted for it, 149 against and 10 others chose to abstain.