(France 24) The French National Assembly on Friday approved a controversial “anti-separatism” bill despite strong criticisms from parliamentarians from the left and the right. The government argued the legislation was needed to bolster France’s secular system, but critics say it breaches religious freedom.
After an acrimonious seven-month debate — with the text going back and forth between France’s lower house, the National Assembly, and the Senate — the anti-separatist bill was approved by 49 votes to 19. There were five abstentions.
In a fiery speech, far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon on Friday railed against the “anti-Republican law,” which he said was “anti-Muslim.”
France’s main opposition parties, including the Socialists (PS) and the centre-right Les Républicains, along with the French Communist Party, voted against the bill for different reasons.
