French presidential candidate Retailleau promises headscarf ban in universities

Ahead of the presidential elections expected to be held in France in 2027, the headscarf debate has once again moved to the top of the political agenda. Bruno Retailleau, the candidate for the center-right The Republicans (LR) party, announced that if elected, he would ban the headscarf in sports activities, school trips, and universities.

Speaking to the French channel BFMTV, Retailleau explained his campaign promises and stated that he would expand restrictions on the headscarf. Retailleau, a former Interior Minister, also pledged to "dissolve organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood" in the country.

PRE-ELECTION HEADSCARF DEBATE

Retailleau's statement came after a similar move by Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a lawmaker from the far-right National Rally (RN) party. Tanguy had stated that if their party won the election, fines would be imposed on those who wear headscarves.

Retailleau, however, argued that a total ban on headscarves in public spaces would be impractical. He claimed that security forces would not be able to easily distinguish between women who wear headscarves for "ideological reasons" and those who cover their heads due to health issues such as cancer.

Stating that he also wants to reduce immigration, Retailleau said that if elected president, he would bring to the agenda the addition of the phrase that France has "Judeo-Christian roots" to the constitution.

Gabriel Attal, the presidential candidate for the center-right Renaissance party and former Prime Minister, stated in his own remarks to the same channel that he is against a headscarf ban in public spaces. Attal said that women in France should have the right to make their own choices on this matter.

During his tenure as Minister of Education in the 2023-2024 period, Attal had introduced a ban on students wearing long dresses known as "abayas" in schools.

News Source: 12punto