05 October 2016

Ban the headscarf on French streets: Is Sarkozy serious?

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has suggested he is in favour of banning the wearing of the Muslim headscarf in public. But his own campaign team tell a different story.

In an exchange on France's Radio Classique on Wednesday morning, Nicolas Sarkozy seemed to reveal that he intends to ban the wearing of the Muslim headscarf in public places in the name of equality.

"Are you preparing a proposal to ban the headscarf," a journalist asked Sarkozy on the programme.

"Exactly," the politician responded.

"Yes or no?" the journalist asked.

"Yes," said Sarkozy.

"On French soil, we don't accept inequalities between men and women," he added.

"No headscarves, no burkinis, now specific swimming times at the public pools, and strict equality when it comes to the rights and of men and women - that is the French republic." [The Local] Read more