On Tuesday, March 16, French Prime Minister François Bayrou aimed to foster cohesion within his government as a senior minister threatened to resign over the contentious issue of allowing women to wear the Islamic headscarf during sports competitions.
At present, the decision regarding the hijab’s acceptance in competitions rests with individual sports federations in France. However, legislation is currently being considered in Parliament that would ban all religious symbols, including the hijab, in both professional and amateur sports.
The unity of Bayrou’s minority government, which leans right but includes some members from a center-left background, has recently deteriorated, with both the sports minister and the education minister voicing their concerns about the proposed legislation.
On Tuesday, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, a prominent right-wing figure and former interior minister, indicated he was willing to resign if the government compromised on this matter. “I cannot remain in a government that concedes on these issues. I will not be part of that,” he stated in an interview with Le Parisien.
Darmanin has consistently cautioned that far-right leader Marine Le Pen could potentially secure victory in the 2027 presidential elections if the French populace is not reassured regarding social matters. “If we allow Le Pen to champion secularism unopposed, we could not achieve a more effective outcome,” he remarked.
Bayrou: ‘Internal Criticism is Unacceptable’
Education Minister Elisabeth Borne, a former prime minister, stated on Monday that it is “the responsibility of [sports] federations to establish their internal regulations.” At present, certain sports, particularly football and basketball, prohibit women from wearing the hijab, while others, such as handball, permit it during competitions. Sports Minister Marie Barsacq has consistently voiced her concerns, cautioning against “confusion” and the misinterpretation of headscarf wearing as a sign of radicalization in sports.
During a private coalition meeting on Tuesday morning, Bayrou criticized the “unacceptable internal criticism” among ministers and pledged to restore “good order,” according to a participant who spoke to Agence France-Presse. He subsequently convened key ministers for another meeting, underscoring that the government’s stance is to support the legislation currently under consideration in parliament, as noted by another participant.
The bill, which was passed in February by the right-controlled upper house, the Sénat, seeks to prohibit the wearing of religious symbols, including the hijab, in all sporting events, even at the amateur level.
“There is a single government position, which is the one endorsed by the prime minister… it is in favor of the Sénat bill,” stated Equality Minister Aurore Bergé to the lower house, the Assemblée Nationale, which has yet to discuss the legislation. She characterized it as part of a “determined effort against all forms of Islamist infiltration.”
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