(Radio France) An MP from President Macron’s centrist LREM party led a walkout after a student union leader appeared for a parliamentary inquiry hearing wearing a hijab.
In line with French laws on secularity designed to keep religion and the state separate, MPs and staff in the parliament building are not allowed to wear clothes or symbols (except discreet jewellery) that signal adherence to any religion.
The rules do not apply to people from outside the building who are asked to contribute to inquiries and parliamentary committees.
But when Maryam Pougetoux, leader of the main students’ union, Unef, appeared in a hijab for a hearing at the inquiry charged with examining the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on young people and children, LREM MP Anne-Christine Lang announced she was leaving the room.
