France: Gérald Darmanin wants to take action against burkini decision in Grenoble

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Women with and without burkini bathing on the beach (archive image)

Photo: FETHI BELAID/ AFP

The debate was heated, the vote tight: In Grenoble, southern France, women are allowed to dress in swimming pools as they like.

Topless - or in a Muslim full-body swimsuit.

The city council decided on Monday.

But now France's Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin wants to turn on the judiciary in the clothing dispute.

Darmanin wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that he had instructed the responsible prefect to take legal action against the decision, which among other things allows the so-called burkinis to be worn in public baths, and to demand its repeal if necessary.

Darmanin accused Grenoble's green mayor, Éric Piolle, of unacceptable provocation that contradicted French values.

France sees itself as a secular country in which there is a strict separation of state and religion.

The handling of religious symbols in public has repeatedly caused controversy, especially in connection with Islam.

The city council in Grenoble voted to change the swimming pool regulations on Monday evening after a controversial debate.

This means that in the future, burkinis and bare-chested swimming will also be permitted for everyone in the city's public pools.

Partners of »political Islam«

There had previously been heated debates on the subject in France.

Although the word burkini does not even appear in the ordinance, the mayor was heavily criticized in the debate in the city council.

He is a partner of "political Islam", he implements the ideas of Salafists and tramples on women's rights, opponents say it is a question of submission to Islam.

In the new bathing regulations, the term "bathing suit" is replaced by the term "swimwear". In addition, the stipulation that the bathing suit may only reach from the knees to the neck is no longer applicable.

It remains the case that swimwear must be made of fabric designed for this purpose and must fit snugly.

Clothing that has been worn before entering the pool or that poses a risk to safety and hygiene remains prohibited.

mrc/dpa