Overview

• Élisabeth Borne asserted on July 13 that islamo-gauchisme exists in society and therefore at universities, directly challenging Philippe Baptiste’s earlier denial of the concept.
• Philippe Baptiste maintains the term lacks a precise academic definition and says there is no organized effort to seize power within higher-education institutions.
• Conservative figures such as Othman Nasrou and Jean-Michel Blanquer have criticized Baptiste’s position and warned against extremist entryism on campus.
• No formal inquiry has been launched, reviving scrutiny of a 2021 investigation announced by former minister Frédérique Vidal that was never conducted.
• Academics and administrators caution that politicizing the debate over islamo-gauchisme risks undermining academic freedom and institutional autonomy.