(AFP) President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday France needed a new debate on secularism rules that ban religious symbols from classrooms and some sports, as he sought to rally support before snap elections.
“There is this feeling that secularism is not always well applied, that things are not clear,” he said at a Paris press conference in the run-up to the polls he called for June 30 following his party’s dismal score in European elections on Sunday.
“We need … to open up a big debate on secularism and take clear measures on subjects that need to be dealt with,” he said.
French laws on secularism — or “laicite” — are intended to keep the state neutral in religious matters, while guaranteeing citizens the right to freely practice their religion.
