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Paris attacks: French MPs back stripping of citizenship | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
French MPs have narrowly approved the first stage of a proposal to enable people convicted of terrorism offences to be stripped of their nationality. | |
The measure is the most controversial change to the constitution drawn up after the 13 November attacks in Paris. | |
France's National Assembly is due to vote on Wednesday on all the measures proposed by the government. | |
Emergency powers currently in force would be given a new status under the constitution. | |
The proposal to strip citizenship from offenders was carried by a margin of 162 to 148, after the government removed a reference to dual nationals born in France. That had aroused considerable opposition and prompted the resignation of Justice Minister Christiane Taubira. | |
If the overall package is approved in Wednesday's formal session, it will then go to the Senate. It will then require approval from a joint session of parliament by a three-fifths majority, a process likely to take weeks. | |
President Francois Hollande outlined the changes in the aftermath of the gun and bomb attacks by Islamist militants who targeted a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars - leaving 130 people dead and hundreds more wounded. | |
But elements have been vociferously opposed by leading figures, including members of his own Socialist party. | |
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. |
Ms Taubira stood down a fortnight ago, citing a "major political disagreement" with the government over its plans for removing citizenship from those convicted of terror offences. | |
Even without a reference to bi-nationals, opponents say in effect it singles out dual-nationality French Muslims, as under international law, governments cannot make citizens stateless. | |
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 |
Extension of powers | |
On Monday, lawmakers voted in favour of the other key measure in the package, the move to enshrine the state of emergency in the constitution, giving the security forces greater powers. | |
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. | |
In Wednesday's vote, 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. | |
Government whips say they are confident of a majority in the lower house on Wednesday - but even if they are correct there is still a long parliamentary battle ahead. |