Prime Minister François Bayrou is working to unify his cabinet on the controversial issue of the veil in sports after mixed messages emerged. A meeting revealed conflicting views, with some ministers supporting a ban while others opposed it. Gérald Darmanin strongly advocated for the ban, emphasizing secularism in sports, while Marie Barsacq raised concerns about linking the veil to radicalization. The discussion reflects ongoing divisions within French sports regarding the acceptance of the veil, with legislative outcomes still uncertain.
Government Stance on Veil in Sports: A Divided Cabinet
After days of mixed messages in the media, Prime Minister François Bayrou is taking steps to unify his cabinet regarding the contentious issue of wearing the veil in sports. On Tuesday, March 18, he summoned key ministers to Matignon who had recently voiced differing opinions on this topic, as reported by LCI from government sources. The ministers called to attend the meeting at 12:30 PM included Elisabeth Borne (Education), Gérald Darmanin (Justice), Bruno Retailleau (Interior), Marie Barsacq (Sports), and Aurore Bergé (Equality).
The debate has intensified since Minister of Sports, Marie Barsacq, raised her concerns following the Senate’s February vote on a bill aimed at banning the veil in sports competitions. Though she supported the bill alongside Minister of the Interior François-Noël Buffet, it has yet to be voted on in the National Assembly.
Conflicting Views Among Ministers
During the meeting, two distinct viewpoints emerged. On one side, Marie Barsacq and Elisabeth Borne expressed hesitations about the proposal, while on the other side, Gérald Darmanin, Bruno Retailleau, and Aurore Bergé supported it. Ultimately, François Bayrou decided to back the LR bill, emphasizing the need for government unity, as reported by sources close to the discussions.
Earlier that day, during a breakfast with political allies, Prime Minister Bayrou criticized “unacceptable” internal dissent within the government, according to an attendee’s account to AFP.
Gérald Darmanin firmly stated on TF1 that banning the veil in sports competitions is essential, clearly opposing the views of Barsacq and Borne. He emphasized, “It is obvious that we must ban the veil in sports competitions,” lamenting the lack of support from his colleagues. He argued that sports venues should be neutral spaces free from religious affiliations and reiterated his commitment against any form of communitarianism.
Darmanin’s position was reinforced in subsequent remarks, where he expressed his frustration with perceived leniency towards entryism, a term he used to describe influences that could compromise secular values in sports. He even hinted at the possibility of resigning if the government were to reconsider its stance on the ban.
In contrast, Marie Barsacq has consistently voiced her concerns about equating the veil with radicalization in sports, underscoring that these are two separate issues. She articulated that “the wearing of the veil is not entryism” and cautioned against conflating various forms of influence within the sports realm.
Elisabeth Borne also weighed in, stating that it is up to sports federations to set their own regulations regarding attire, affirming that the Council of State supports such autonomy. This perspective aligns with the sentiment that internal regulations should suffice to address these concerns.
Bruno Retailleau, on the other hand, echoed Darmanin’s sentiments, expressing his strong disagreement with Barsacq’s stance. He reminded her of the Senate’s approval of the secularism bill in sports, reiterating that fundamentalism has no place in athletics.
The issue of wearing the veil has long been a divisive topic within French sports, with some federations prohibiting it—like in football—while others, such as handball, allow it. As the government navigates these complex discussions, the future of the legislation remains uncertain.