There was a dramatic twist at the Assemblée Nationale on Thursday, April 16: After stirring up the political world and media for weeks, a bill against antisemitism was suddenly pulled from the parliamentary agenda by the pro-Macron MPs who had championed it.
In a statement, the centrist Ensemble pour la République (EPR) group blamed La France Insoumise (LFI, hard-left) for obstructing proceedings, arguing that “this legislation will not have time to be examined this week.” The EPR lawmakers also said they had secured a commitment from the government to submit a new bill on the same topic, planned for “the week of June 22.”
Speaking to Le Monde, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s staff remained vague about the date, saying the bill would be presented in a “cabinet meeting before the summer.” But the tight parliamentary timetable makes examination before the summer recess in mid-July uncertain.
This parliamentary standoff reflects the controversy surrounding Yadan’s bill, which has divided French politics for weeks between those who support it as a necessary step against the stigmatization of Jews and those who see it as an attack on freedom of expression. What is at stake in this debate? Le Monde explains.
You have 81.35% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
