French lawmakers approve bill to battle ‘Islamist separatism’

French lawmakers approve bill to battle ‘Islamist separatism’  

PARIS: France’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday (Feb 16) voted in favour of a law to battle “Islamist separatism” that is billed by the government as a riposte to religious groups attempting to undermine the secular state. 

The draft legislation, which has been criticised for stigmatising Muslims and giving the state new powers to limit speech and religious groups, was backed by a clear majority of MPs in the National Assembly. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party rallied around the law, with 347 National Assembly lawmakers voting in favour, 151 against and 65 abstaining. 

The text will now be submitted to the upper house Senate, where Macron’s party does not hold a majority. 

“It’s an extremely strong secular offensive,” Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told RTL radio ahead of the vote Tuesday. “It’s a tough text … but necessary for the republic.”