France - politics

Burkas not welcome in France, says Sarkozy

Article published on the 2009-06-22 Latest update 2009-06-22 14:20 TU

French President Nicolas Sarkozy walks between Republican Guards as he arrives at the Versailles Palace
(Credit: Reuters)

The Islamic burka is "not welcome" in France because it is not a symbol of religion but an object of humiliation for women, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday in a speech to parliament in Versailles. Sarkozy also touched on the issue of taxes and retirement reforms, as he strove to push his ideas home after his UMP party's victory in the European Parliamentary elections two weeks ago.

"The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience," he told lawmakers. "It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic."

A group of French lawmakers had been calling for a special inquiry into whether the burka was a violation of women's rights and if it went against the laws of France.

Sarkozy, who has consistently had low ratings in opinion polls, has had a hard time trying to push through a raft of reforms since his election as part of his UMP party platform.

"All options for reform will be examined," he said. The issue of not replacing one out of two civil servants who retire has been a contentious one throughout France.

A cabinet shuffle is in order, according to the French president, and will be carried out on Wednesday, he announced. Some analysts question whether this will be a substantial change.

 He also maintained that he will "follow to the end" the Hadopi Law on illegal internet downloads.

Sarkozy spoke to both the Senate and the National Assembly in a specially-convened joint session at Versailles Palace outside of Paris.

Sarkozy's speech to parliament has been an object of great debate in France. This is the first time that a head of state has directly spoken to parlimentarians since 1848, as the prime minister runs all the debates. According to parliamentary law, the prime minister will normally only read a statement by the president.

Most socialist MPs have agreed to attend the speech out of respect for the office, but refuse to conduct a debate with President Sarkozy because of the breach in parliamentary law.

Of the 920 MPs, a number have announced they would be absent for his address, those notably being from the Europe Ecologist and Communist parties.