Hollande abandons divisive plans to strip terrorists of French citizenship

French president Francois Hollande has abandoned plans to strip convicted terrorists of their citizenship. He said he had no choice as France’s two houses of parliament were divided on the issue. The president added that a compromise seemed out of reach on the proposed legislation, which would also have strengthened the state of emergency introduced in the wake of November’s attacks in Paris. In a rare address to reporters following the weekly cabinet meeting, Mr Hollande said. “I very much regret that attitude.”

I have decided to close the constitutional debate (but) I will not deviate from the commitments I have taken… to ensure the security of our country.

Francois Hollande

Mr Hollande submitted the proposal to evoke the citizenship of convicted terrorists with dual nationalities days prompted a heated political dispute. The far right applauded the idea while some on the left denounced it as a divisive measure. Opponents say it would create two classes of citizens — dual nationals who could lose their French citizenship and French citizens who could not — in opposition to the principle of equality set out in France’s constitution. The row led to the December resignation of his popular justice minister, Christiane Taubira. The ruling Socialist party blamed right-wingers for derailing the plans but they, in turn, accused the government of failure.

Francois Hollande fails to have his own words taken seriously. He and his government are the only ones responsible for this failure

National Front leader Marine Le Pen

francois hollande