French Prime Minister Opposes Proposed Ban on Religious Symbols in Sports
François Bayrou reverses his stance, citing concerns over stigmatizing France's Muslim population, leaving the proposal stalled in the legislative process.
- On April 1, 2025, Prime Minister François Bayrou publicly opposed the proposed ban on religious symbols in sports, reversing his earlier support.
- Bayrou justified his opposition by emphasizing the risk of stigmatizing France's nine million Muslim citizens.
- The proposal, initially passed by the Senate in February 2025, remains stalled without a scheduled debate in the National Assembly.
- Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Republican Right deputies, has been pressuring Bayrou to advance the proposal for debate, so far without success.
- The proposed ban reflects broader societal tensions in France over secularism and the integration of religious minorities, with critics warning of potential discrimination against Muslim women.
Marianne 
Le Journal du Dimanche 
l'Opinion 
Ouest-France 