Pascal Boniface's 'Muslim d'apparence' Comment Sparks Political Backlash

The geopolitical researcher faces criticism after questioning the identity of Saint-Ouen's mayor, leading to the cancellation of a major event.

Pascal Boniface, founder of IRIS, described Karim Bouamrane as a 'Muslim d'apparence' on social media, igniting widespread criticism.
Bouamrane, a prominent figure in the Socialist Party, expressed outrage at the label, emphasizing his long-standing political career and commitment to anti-essentialism.
The controversial comment resulted in the cancellation of the Internationales de Dijon, an event organized in collaboration with Boniface's think tank.
Figures from the Socialist Party and the French government condemned the remark, highlighting its contradiction with republican values of identity and inclusion.
Boniface later retracted the comment, acknowledging its inappropriateness while maintaining his stance on the broader geopolitical issues he raised.