PM, party officials boycott Sarkozy's Islam debate

France’s ruling UMP party met Tuesday for President Nicolas Sarkozy’s debate on strengthening secularism amid religious diversity. The prime minister and other top politicians refused to take part, however, saying the debate could stigmatise Islam.

By Sophie PILGRIM (text)

France’s UMP party gathered at the Meridien hotel in drab south-central Paris Tuesday, with a list of 26 ideas supposed to strengthen the country’s secular standing.

While the controversial debate was attended by a gaggle of journalists and guarded by a heavy police presence, President Nicolas Sarkozy’s prime minister was nowhere to be seen.

Prime Minister François Fillon, along with a number of ministers and top aides to Sarkozy, chose not to participate in the convention because of concerns over the

FRANCE 24

UMP party chief Jean-François Copé speaks at the secular debate

stigmatisation of Islam.

It’s an issue that has caused the biggest rupture in the UMP since Sarkozy began his reign four years ago.

On the opposite side of the Fillon camp, Sarkozy is joined by his party president, Jean-François Copé – the man who engineered the country’s ban on the full-face veil. He argues that by tackling the Islam question, the UMP will satisfy the concerns of right-wing voters – in time for next year’s presidential election.

Fillon, on the other hand, says that the party must remember that its values “are not those of the far-right,” and that such a convention “is not the right place to express the government's position.”

Clutching at straws

The UMP is suffering its lowest ever ratings, with predictions for the 2012 election placing Sarkozy behind both the socialist candidate (yet to be decided) and Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front (FN).

“From Sarkozy’s point of view, he probably thinks things can’t get any worse,” social and political researcher on France, Matthew Moran from King’s College London told FRANCE 24. “It’s likely he’s hoping that appealing to far-right voters will give him the boost he needs”.

Rebellious ministers are not helping his case, however. “Sarkozy is known for his very autocratic way of dealing with his government,” Moran says. “The label of ‘hyper-president’ is important because it describes very well Sarkozy’s omnipresence in all aspects of government, to the point of eclipsing his ministers."

Sarkozy is widely expected to run for president in 2012, and the opposition are hoping that the UMP’s ongoing squabble will damage him. “Not necessarily,” says Moran. “Sarkozy is very good at creating a whirlwind of activity around him, so that before voters have properly reacted to an issue he’s already moved on to something else.

"If the debate on secularism goes badly, Sarkozy is shrewd enough to move onto another battleground very quickly. This issue, by itself, will not be fatal."

FRANCE

France readies for ban on full Islamic veil
FRANCE

Old differences threaten ruling UMP party power
FRANCE

French Socialists celebrate as Sarkozy's party despairs

Date created : 05/04/2011

Comments (4)

pigs

by don girard (not verified) - 07/04/2011 - 01:45

why is france going down the tubes. would it be ok for me to pray in the street and block trafic if i am not a muslim???

report abuse

Try Reading The Koran Once

by An American (not verified) - 06/04/2011 - 18:18

For all of you deluded types who think that Islam is a wonderful, peaceful, tolerant religion, I say "Read the 9th and 10th chapters of the Koran." That will take you all of three hours to accomplish. Just read the 9th and 10th chapters of the thing. Those chapters speak for themselves, LOUDLY. What you are reading there is pure unadulterated hate speech directed at Christianity and Judaism. No toleration at all for any
faith other than Islam. And MURDER is the prescribed remedy to settle any dispute. Read chapters 9 and 10. Read them NOW. Then try Googling "The Battle of the Trench." If THAT doesn't open your eyes, nothing will.