The Rassemblement National party proposes to sanction the wearing of the Islamic veil in public spaces with a fine if it comes to power [1].
The proposal signals a move to expand restrictions on religious dress in France. Such a policy would shift the current legal framework from banning full-face coverings to penalizing the general Islamic veil in all public areas.
Deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy (RN) announced the plan during an appearance on BFMTV on Sunday, Aug. 30 [1], [2]. Tanguy, a lieutenant to party leader Marine Le Pen, said the party wants to penalize the practice using financial sanctions.
"We want to sanction the wearing of the Islamic veil with a fine," Tanguy said [1].
The measure is not a new addition to the party's platform. Tanguy said this policy was already included in Marine Le Pen's programs during her first three presidential candidacies [2], [3].
Le Pen has long maintained that the veil should be prohibited in public spaces [4]. The proposal aligns with her established political positioning regarding secularism, and the visibility of religion in the French state.
While France already has laws regarding the veil in specific contexts, such as schools and certain government roles, this proposal seeks a broader application. The RN platform suggests that the current laws are insufficient to maintain the party's vision of public order and secularism.
Tanguy said the implementation of these fines would be a priority for the party upon winning power [1]. The announcement comes as the party continues to define its legislative priorities for future governance.
“"We want to sanction the wearing of the Islamic veil with a fine,"”
This proposal represents a significant escalation of the Rassemblement National's approach to laïcité, or French secularism. By moving from a ban on full-face coverings to a general fine for the Islamic veil, the RN is targeting a wider demographic of women. If implemented, such a policy would likely face immediate legal challenges in French and European courts over religious freedom and human rights.
