Le Figaro reported that France is heading toward a new political controversy after the newspaper published a report outlining a wide range of legal, administrative, and social proposals aimed at combating what authorities describe as “Islamic extremism.”
The report, prepared by 29 Republican Party senators and led by Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, spans 107 pages and contains 17 recommendations that could reshape the relationship between the state and society on issues of religion and identity. Its authors argue that “Islamic extremism” threatens national cohesion and requires a strong and decisive plan.
Among the most controversial recommendations are:
The report also calls for stricter oversight of mosque and association funding, transferring full responsibility for issuing visas to the Ministry of the Interior to better control immigration, and enforcing complete neutrality within sports institutions to prevent what it views as “religious pressure” or “infiltration.”
The authors define Islamic extremism as a “long-term separatist project aiming to reshape French society,” stressing that the proposals target “Islam as an ideology” rather than the religion itself. They rely on testimonies from researchers and former officials who warn of influential networks operating within the country.
The report warns of “infiltration strategies” within education and sports sectors and describes the hijab as a “tool of social control.” It also claims that certain areas are becoming “parallel ghettos,” calling for a constitutional amendment affirming the supremacy of republican laws over any religious or communal considerations.
The senators praise the 2023 ban on religious attire in schools, claiming it reduced conflicts over religious demands. They also call for supporting women in marginalized neighborhoods and promoting gender mixing in educational, cultural, and sports activities.
The report concludes that combating “Islamic extremism” requires the “rearmament of the Republic” on intellectual, legal, administrative, and political levels, affirming that the right-wing bloc in the Senate will continue to push for the implementation of these recommendations.
