French Parliament news stories on Newser

Sarkozy Pushes for Burka Ban

Harry Kimball — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:23:24 CST

Nicolas Sarkozy restated his support for a ban on the wearing of burkas in his country in a New Year's address today—while stressing that any decision should await the results of a parliamentary inquiry on the subject, which are expected later this month. While Sarkozy’s own party is advocating...

Burka Is 'Not Welcome' in France: Sarkozy

Harry Kimball — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:03:40 CDT

Nicolas Sarkozy today spoke out strongly against Islamic coverings for women, like the burka, the BBC reports. In a rare speech to parliament, which is considering a ban, the French president said, “we cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting. … The burka is...

France Considers Burka Ban

Harry Kimball — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:01:18 CDT

France’s parliament is making noises about banning head-to-toe Islamic women’s dress such as the burka and niqab, the Times of London reports. Opponents called the the dress “a moving prison” and a “tomb," and say it's cropping up more in big cities. If the burka is “contrary to republican principles,...

Assembly Votes Surprise Non on French Web Piracy Law

Harry Kimball — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:40:09 CDT

The French legislature has put a stop—for now—to an anti-piracy law that would deny Internet access to repeat offenders, AFP reports. The law, a pet of President Nicolas Sarkozy, would deal the ultimate blow to illegal downloaders after three strikes, and replace the current regime of fines and...

Sarkozy Faces Confidence Vote Over Rejoining NATO

Nick McMaster — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:45:45 CDT

Nicolas Sarkozy’s government must submit to a vote of confidence after the president announced his intention to have France rejoin NATO’s integrated military command, the BBC reports. Opposition politicians and some in Sarkozy’s UMP party say tightening NATO ties will threaten France’s independence. But Sarkozy says it doesn't make sense...

France Passes Controversial DNA Immigration Bill

Colleen Barry — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:14:25 CDT

France's hotly contested immigration bill that includes provisions for DNA testing passed the legislature yesterday. The bill tightens restrictions on would-be immigrants applying for entry to reunite with family members already in the country, and could include DNA testing to prove they're related to people living in France.

Sarkozy's Party Loses Ground to Socialists

Colleen Barry — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:34:28 CDT

The French left refused to roll over and play dead in parliamentary elections yesterday, giving Nicolas Sarkozy a smaller majority than expected. Sarkozy's Conservative Party won a strong enough mandate to push through its ambitious tax cuts and easing of labor restrictions, the New York Times reports, but loses some...

Sarkozy Preps for Landslide in Parliament

Sam Gale Rosen — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:33:36 CDT

More Paris news: Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP party is making a beeline towards a landslide in the French parliamentary election, according to first round polls. UMP could win at least 383 of 577 seats, meaning a serious mandate for Sarko to push through rightish economic reforms. But the election is anyone's...