Justice minister quits over plans to strip terrorists of French passports

French justice minister Christiane Taubira quit on Wednesday in protest over moves to strip convicted French-born terrorists of their citizenship. The 63-year-old, the country’s most senior black politician and darling of the left, resigned after being over-ruled by president Francois Hollande over the proposal. They agreed on “the need to terminate her function”, the president’s office confirmed. Her departure meant delight for her political opponents on the right, with National Front leader Marine Le Pen saying it was “good news for France”.

Sometimes to resist is to stay, sometimes to resist is to leave.

Christiane Taubira

The proposal to strip terrorists with dual nationality of French citizenship was announced earlier on Wednesday by prime minister Manuel Valls. The day before, Ms Taubira said the proposal would be dropped only to be over-ruled by the president at the last minute. Along with many on the left, she had opposed the idea, saying it was divisive and an act of ideological treason. It was included in reforms to the French constitution being presented to parliament hours after her departure. Her decision to go will weaken the president’s cachet with the left, where she was admired for pushing through reforms on issues such as gay marriage.

Removing French nationality from those who blindly kill other French in the name of an ideology of terror is a strong symbolic act against those who have excluded themselves from the national community

Prime minister Manuel Valls

christiane taubira