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| French MPs vote on constitution changes | French MPs vote on constitution changes |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| French MPs are due to vote on a package of changes to the constitution, drawn up after November's attacks in Paris. | French MPs are due to vote on a package of changes to the constitution, drawn up after November's attacks in Paris. |
| The changes would give a new status under the constitution to the state of emergency which is currently in force. | The changes would give a new status under the constitution to the state of emergency which is currently in force. |
| They would also controversially enact the right to strip terror convicts of their French nationality. | |
| If the measures are approved in Wednesday's formal session, the package goes to the Senate - before a meeting of the joint houses of parliament. | If the measures are approved in Wednesday's formal session, the package goes to the Senate - before a meeting of the joint houses of parliament. |
| President Francois Hollande promised these changes in the aftermath of the 13 November attacks in Paris by gunmen and suicide bombers who targeted a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars - leaving 130 people dead and hundreds wounded. | President Francois Hollande promised these changes in the aftermath of the 13 November attacks in Paris by gunmen and suicide bombers who targeted a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars - leaving 130 people dead and hundreds wounded. |
| The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris | The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris |
| With the country united in grief and anxiety, the president said it was important to take tough action in what he called a "war" against terrorism. | With the country united in grief and anxiety, the president said it was important to take tough action in what he called a "war" against terrorism. |
| Three months on, his vision of constitutional reform has run into the reality of partisan politics. | Three months on, his vision of constitutional reform has run into the reality of partisan politics. |
| On the left - even within his own Socialist party - there is opposition to the proposal to strip terrorists of their French citizenship. | On the left - even within his own Socialist party - there is opposition to the proposal to strip terrorists of their French citizenship. |
| In practice, these critics say, that could only apply to bi-nationals - people with a second nationality - which would make two tiers of citizenship. | In practice, these critics say, that could only apply to bi-nationals - people with a second nationality - which would make two tiers of citizenship. |
| On the right there are voices saying the reforms are a meaningless diversion, giving the impression of government action against terrorism, where there is none in reality. | On the right there are voices saying the reforms are a meaningless diversion, giving the impression of government action against terrorism, where there is none in reality. |
| The country's left-wing justice minister Christiane Taubira resigned two weeks ago, citing a "major political disagreement" with the government. She was among several political figures who objected to the government's proposals because they singled out those with dual nationality. | The country's left-wing justice minister Christiane Taubira resigned two weeks ago, citing a "major political disagreement" with the government. She was among several political figures who objected to the government's proposals because they singled out those with dual nationality. |
| Government whips say they are confident of a majority in the lower house - but even if they are correct there is still a long parliamentary battle ahead. | Government whips say they are confident of a majority in the lower house - but even if they are correct there is still a long parliamentary battle ahead. |
| Under the terms of the state of emergency, police are allowed to raid homes and hold people under house arrest. | Under the terms of the state of emergency, police are allowed to raid homes and hold people under house arrest. |
| It expires on 26 February but the government wants the powers extended. | It expires on 26 February but the government wants the powers extended. |
| Who were the attackers? | Who were the attackers? |
| Paris attacks: Who were the victims? | Paris attacks: Who were the victims? |
| French MPs back emergency powers in law | French MPs back emergency powers in law |
| Under Article 1 of the constitutional reform proposals, MPs will have to approve a state of emergency beyond 12 days. This rule is already observed, but including it in the constitution is intended to protect it from legal challenges. | Under Article 1 of the constitutional reform proposals, MPs will have to approve a state of emergency beyond 12 days. This rule is already observed, but including it in the constitution is intended to protect it from legal challenges. |
| MPs have also backed an amendment requiring any extension beyond four months to be referred back to them. | MPs have also backed an amendment requiring any extension beyond four months to be referred back to them. |
| The chamber was only a quarter full during the vote on Tuesday. Out of the total of 577 deputies, 441 were absent. | The chamber was only a quarter full during the vote on Tuesday. Out of the total of 577 deputies, 441 were absent. |
| The house later voted through the proposal on nationality. The amendment does not mention dual nationality. | The house later voted through the proposal on nationality. The amendment does not mention dual nationality. |