The National Assembly adopted a Republicans' resolution on January 22 to list the Muslim Brotherhood on the EU's terrorist organizations list, with 157 votes in favor and 101 against. This non-binding text sparked five hours of heated debates between La France Insoumise and the National Rally. The exchanges highlighted irreconcilable views on Islam and secularism in France.
The European resolution proposal (PPRE), submitted by the Republicans (LR) group during their parliamentary niche, was debated for nearly five hours in the National Assembly. It calls for listing the Muslim Brotherhood movement on the European Union's terrorist organizations list. Adopted by 157 votes to 101, this resolution has no binding effect on the French government or EU institutions.
The debates quickly escalated into a fierce clash between La France Insoumise (LFI) and the National Rally (RN), overshadowing the LR group itself. Insults such as 'conspiracy theorists,' 'fascists,' 'racists,' 'Islamophobes,' 'party of foreigners,' 'antisemites,' or 'Hamas supporters' flew back and forth. Ecologist deputy Dominique Voynet (Doubs) lamented a 'climate not necessarily dignified.'
To slow down the text's examination, LFI resorted to obstruction tactics, including nine calls to order and two granted session suspensions. LFI group president Mathilde Panot even invoked Article 61 of the Assembly's rules to check the quorum, a rare tool that mandates a 15-minute suspension if the absolute majority is not met. This underscores the ongoing tensions within the chamber on sensitive issues like Islam and secularism, making serene debate challenging.
