A Rassemblement national deputy's remarks likening a tax debate to the Rwandan genocide drew unanimous outrage in the National Assembly on January 15. Frédéric-Pierre Vos, MP from Oise, ironically referenced the height of Hutu and Tutsi, reversing victims and perpetrators according to critics. His group issued apologies, as sanctions are considered.
During budget debates in the National Assembly, RN deputy Frédéric-Pierre Vos, representing Oise, made controversial statements on January 15. In a discussion on the Dutreil pact – a tax scheme offering a 75% abatement on family business transfers –, he said: « The resistance to oppression is not confusing equality with egalitarianism, and turning into a Tutsi to chop the Hutu because they were taller ».
These words immediately sparked outrage across all parliamentary groups. Cyrielle Chatelain, head of the Ecologists and Social group, called them « absolutely shameful », likening them to negationism: « Comparing the desire for fair French contributions to a genocide where people were killed with machetes is inadmissible ».
Hervé Berville, Renaissance deputy from Côtes-d’Armor, born in Rwanda and a Tutsi orphan, denounced the « intolerable » phrase that « reverses the victim and the executioner ». He added: « This shows how much work remains to fully recognize the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda ». The genocide, from April to July 1994, caused over 800,000 deaths according to the UN, mainly Tutsis.
Boris Vallaud, head of the Socialists and Associates group, urged the Assembly's bureau – responsible for sanctions – to address these « extremely grave » remarks. Session president Marie-Agnès Poussier-Winsback (Horizons) replied: « I will refer it to the president ».
From the RN side, deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy from Somme offered apologies on behalf of his group: « We honor the memory of the victims of the Rwandan genocide ».
These reactions highlight the ongoing sensitivity around recognizing the Rwandan genocide in France.