Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement National (RN), proposed putting a ban on the public wearing of the Islamic veil to a national referendum.

The proposal signals a push to codify strict secularism through direct democratic vote, potentially shifting France's legal approach to religious attire in public spaces.

Speaking Sunday, Aug. 30 [1], Bardella said the party intends to sanction the wearing of the veil with a fine. He framed the move as a defense of secularism and a method to combat what he called Islamist ideology.

"We want a referendum on Islamist ideology," Bardella said [2].

RN deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy said the party plans to use financial penalties to enforce the measure [3]. However, Bardella sought to distance the proposal from intrusive enforcement tactics. He said it is not a matter of establishing a "police of clothing" [4].

This assertion contrasts with reports from other outlets, including Corse-Matin, which suggested the party intends to use police forces to ensure women pay the fines. The government has also expressed skepticism regarding the plan. Executive officials said they have doubts regarding the constitutionality and the practical applicability of the proposed fines [3].

The RN's focus on this issue comes as the country looks toward the next presidential election in 2027 [3]. The party presents the referendum as a way to let citizens decide the boundaries of religious expression in the public sphere.

Critics argue the measure targets a specific faith, while the RN maintains it is a necessary step to protect the French Republic from religious extremism. The proposal remains a central marker of the party's platform as it seeks to expand its influence over national policy.

“"We want a referendum on Islamist ideology,"”

The proposal leverages a referendum to bypass traditional legislative hurdles and constitutional doubts, attempting to turn a legal debate over secularism into a popular mandate. By framing the veil as a symbol of 'Islamist ideology' rather than religious practice, the RN seeks to align its policy with French laïcité while positioning itself as the primary defender of national identity ahead of the 2027 elections.