In a surprising row between Macron’s interior minister Gérald Darmanin and Marine Le Pen, who is branded as “far right,” Darmanin said Le Pen’s “efforts to rebrand the National Rally party had led to a watering down of her hardline position that would ‘disappoint’ her base.” Le Pen was left “defending the rights of Muslims to practice and confirmed she ‘does not intend to attack Islam, which is a religion like any other.’”
The dispute between Le Pen and Darmanin came during a debate. Darmanin said: “In her attempts to rehabilitate [her party], Ms Le Pen has gone a bit soft… you need to take some vitamins, you’re not tough enough here.”
Macron’s government has stepped up its crackdown on “Islamist separatism” since the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty in October, including surveillance and closure of hardline mosques. He has also been accelerating the French battle against jihadists in the Sahel region of Africa, citing foreseeable problems for the EU should jihadists continue their rampage and create a humanitarian disaster in the region.
Le Pen’s assertion that Islam is “a religion like any other” is bizarre coming from a politician who was thought to understand what the jihad was all about. And in fact, Islam is has numerous singular features: one cannot find any passages in Christianity advocating the murder or subjugation of infidels, the murder of apostates, or the beating of disobedient women, and the list goes on. Nor are there any states except Islamic states that sanction human rights abuses in the name of religion.
Le Pen has been under the microscope and major pressure. She’s on trial for charges that she broke hate speech laws by tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities. She was also ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation for tweeting the images. Despite attacks on her, Le Pen was recently reported to be soaring in the polls due to her tough stand on Islamization. But her comments in defense of Islam, whether due to pressure or political posturing, or both, may cause her to lose ground.
“French far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused of being ‘too soft’ on Islam in election debate,” by Jack Elsom, Daily Mail, February 13, 2021:
French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen looked bewildered during a debate this week as she was accused by a Macron ally of being ‘too soft’ on Islam.
Interior minister Gérald Darmanin said her efforts to rebrand the National Rally party had led to a watering down of her hardline position that would ‘disappoint’ her base.
Le Pen responded by defending the rights of Muslims to practice and confirmed she ‘does not intend to attack Islam, which is a religion like any other’.
That the far-right candidate was facing accusations of being too liberal left even Le Pen visibly stunned.
The debate broadcast on French TV saw the opening salvos fired in a hotly contested election to be fought next year.
Le Pen and incumbent President Macron are expected to face off in the final round of voting and have been trading the lead in polls, which put them miles ahead of their nearest rivals.
Tackling extremism is seen as a touchstone issue in the election and comes as ministers plan tougher measures over religious associations and homeschooling.
During Thursday’s debate, Darmanin said: In her attempts to rehabilitate [her party], Ms Le Pen has gone a bit soft… you need to take some vitamins, you’re not tough enough here.’
He added: ‘If I understand you right, you’re prepared to not even legislate on religion, and you say that Islam is not even a problem.
‘You’ve gone quite far, it’s going to disappoint quite a lot of your voters I imagine.
Le Pen responded: Yes I can confirm that I don’t intend to attack Islam, which is a religion like any other.
‘And, because I am strongly attached to our French values, I want to conserve total freedom of religion. That’s my opinion.’
She hit out at the government’s plan to crack down on homeschooling – which ministers point to as a breeding ground for extremism – and instead pointed to her own proposals such as banning headscarfs for all in public and tighter migration controls. …
Buraq says
Of course she’s being too soft on Islamic jihad!! Bring back the guillotine and the ‘Tricoteuse’ for murderous jihad attacks. Public executions!
I mean it!
Mary says
You’re starting to sound like a muslim.
andre sandgaard says
killing evil dont make u evil but good…mary u foul!!
Chrissie01 says
no wonder!
gravenimage says
Mary, your idea that Muslims punish those pious Muslims waging Jihad against Infidels is mistaken. Jihad is in fact a core part of Islam.
And while it is certainly possible to have mixed feelings about execution for crimes, the idea that if you support it that you are just like Muslims murdering people for running afoul of brutal Shari’ah norms is pretty questionable.
mortimer says
Knee-slapping.
Frank Anderson says
Psychiatric examinations can have the opposite effect intended by those who compel them. Alabama’s governor, George Wallace was ordered by a court to submit to such an examination, and passed with “flying colors”. From that day on, he was the only candidate for public office who could show that he was sane. And he mentioned the result often in his campaigns.
Raja says
Frank,
LOL, We live in a queer world !!!!
john smith says
What the hell is going on with Le Pen here ? She said, “islam is a religion like any other religion,” She also says, ” that she doesn’t intend to attack islam.”
I’m having a job getting my head around this one, I really am.
Frank Anderson says
J.S. as a matter of MY pure speculation, it could be because of the pending criminal charges she is facing for telling the truth. As long as those charges are pending, it makes sense to avoid giving corrupt, lying, collaborating traitors more excuses to make new charges.
Ponder what would happen in Nazi Germany. Sophie Scholl was beheaded for distributing leaflets opposing the totalitarian regime. Le Pen may not be physically executed at the moment; but she certainly risks brutal punishment.
Lavéritétriomphera says
Bonjour Frank,
I watched the debate and make no mistake about it, Marine Le Pen said that for electoral reasons. She knows the Muslims are scared of the Islamists, and she said she will fight them by all means.
Gerald Darmanin is a Catholic (I heard) of an Algerian descent (Kabylie – Berber), the Arabs must not be his favorite people. And if I understood him correctly he believe Islamism cannot be separated from its religious roots.
Jordan Bardela, the right-hand man of Marine Le Pen, doesn’t mince his words and I believe he will reveal his party’s goals regarding Islam and islamism in due time.
À bientôt and stay safe
Amitiés
Mount Zion says
Frank Anderson , I compleyely agree with you about avoiding new charges by traitors of ill will .
When she says that Islam is a religion like any other religion , that is certainly not true when it comes to the ideology . When it comes to freedom of religion though , stating that she is strongly attached to french values , was a good move .
If she ever becomes President I’m sure she is still going after Islam.
Frank Anderson says
M.Z., the short version of my comment is that the label applied has NO different result unless that label reflects accurately what is the truth. Religion/cult/ideology. . . are all perfectly legal and confuse people into thinking a criminal conspiracy is above the law and totally protected from effective action to halt its assault on Western Society.
Again, short version: islam meets every element of a criminal conspiracy under US law, whether other countries have different or more elements or not. I have been writing my analysis here for quite a while. NOT ONE person has offered any other countries’ definition of conspiracy. The elements of a conspiracy under US law are: 1) An agreement 2) of 2 or more persons 3) for an illegal purpose or to use illegal means for a legal purpose 4) ANY overt act by ANY member in furtherance of the goal.
There is no time limit that a conspiracy can exist. 1400 years is just as illegal as 1400 seconds. There is no upper limit on the number of “persons” (humans or organizations) that can be members. EACH one is equally guilty of all that any of them commit. A conspiracy does not need to be proved by a written document, even when a prosecutor has the “holy” documents. A conspiracy can be joined at any time from start to finish simply be adopting, supporting or furthering the goals. The basic rule of US law is “The knowledge of one is the knowledge of all; The acts of one are the acts of all.”
Islam is not a “religion like any other” or a “religion of peace”. It is a criminal conspiracy to conquer, kill and enslave the entire world, nothing less. It might take an hour or so to read enough in Spencer’s Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam, or his Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran, or Bill Warner’s Abridged Koran for anyone who can read and understand the English language that islam is a criminal conspiracy once the legal definition of criminal conspiracy is understood.
You cannot turn a horse into a camel by calling it a camel.
Lavéritétriomphera says
@Frank, Mount Zion,
Hi
Islam is consider as a religion, a faith shared by many covered by the act on freedom of conscience and religious organizations. But this is not the case for the Islamist ideology assimilated to a political movement even if some of us cannot make the difference between the Islamic faith and political Islam.
Bien à vous
Frank Anderson says
Kevin, it does not matter in US law whether a “religion” or any other label applies. There is NO CRIME in being a “religion”. There is a crime in being a criminal conspiracy to conquer, kill and enslave, when every single element of the crime is present. ALL members are responsible: Active members and those who support the goals while inactive. What does French law say about conspiracy that is any different from US law, PLEASE? Is there available any French cases like the US case, United States v. Gary Greenough, 609 F.Supp 1090 (Southern District of Alabama, 1986), which explains the French law on conspiracy? That case is available for you free online by searching the full name.
I wish you and France well, and a better future than seems to be developing at the moment. Frank
john smith says
Frank Anderson.
That might be pure speculation, but it’s a darn good explanation, that just didn’t cross my mind,
I thought this doesn’t sound like the Le Pen at all. So thanks for that Frank it makes perfect sense.
Frank Anderson says
J.S. you learn a few things in 3 years of law school and 30+ years of being a licensed lawyer that are not taught on television shows.
“If you find yourself in a hole: Stop digging!” I do not see any meaningful difference between present day France and Nazi Germany when it comes to free speech. The whole idea that muslims are free to say and do anything while the rest must stand silent and obey is just as repugnant as allowing the violent mobs of Communists and Nazis to run rampant and uncontrolled in the 1930’s. By allowing the Communists to do their violence the Nazis were justified and supported to do theirs. Now we have BLM and Antifa giving an excuse for the building polarization in the US.
mortimer says
Islam’s bowing and scraping, fake fasting with real feasting during Ramadan and its daily worship of the Holy Gravel in Mecca are all harmless to ‘others’. However, Islam without jihad (though benign) ceases to be Islam per se, because jihad is the MOST IMPORTANT PILLAR of Islam.
Jihad is the holiest sacrament of Islam.
In their actual practice of Islam (as a religion), most Muslims totally IGNORE jihad and practice their own, customized, self-doctored, truncated, ‘pruned’ version of Islam without all the jihad.
This ‘pruned’ version of Islam is what most non-Muslims think (in their credulity) is ‘real Islam’. The jihad-less Islam is not ‘real Islam’.
theanimalthatthereforeiam3 says
LePen is playing the familiar game of political correctness with the intent to sway political votes her way as an election approaches; she must know her comments about Islam are totally incorrect and that she is gambling that her softened approach will make her appear more moderate and less far right; she is playing a dangerous game that is destined to backfire negatively when her base of supporters react; she was always popular because of her belief in populism and French (Western) values which, ironically, Macron appears presently to be espousing; are her advisors that stupid!?
Jayell says
It sounds like Gérald Darmanin and Marine Le Pen are both playing politics, Mme Le Pen trying to court the middle ground and M. Darmanin trying to steal Mme. Le Pen’s thunder. The French people have to decide which one is going to confront the muslims properly and who is just playing to the gallery. Going on their track records, I think I know which one I’d put my money on.
underbed cat says
Striking terror into the hearts of kaffar, of infidels or Christians, Jewish or Hindu’s or atheist non beleivers, “should “reach the notice of Le Pen…..that those that train will bring terror and can are to be supported by those who chose not to fight, however still support the jihadist entry into all areas of the world to either tax to stay alive, be killed or convert has not cleared her confusion. The definition of religion does not prescribe warfare. It’s doctrine is hidden from non beleivers, forbidden to declare connections to terror, until or unless in courts. It is very strategic, deadly and clever and silenced doctrine that has an aim to control.
A ticket to any Islamic sharia country should take care of it if she is interested in France and safety of citizen, that no mask can protect.
Crusades Were Right says
Back in the 1970’s there was a British TV game show called “The Golden Shot”. Contestants would give directions to a blindfolded crossbow operator to direct his aim to a target in order to win prizes. Directions like: “Left a bit. Left a bit. Right a bit. Fire!”
It worked because the person giving the directions wanted the crossbow operator to HIT the target. In THIS case, however…
lol
Kepha says
Given that DJT won in the Electoral College in 2016, there is a chance that PA, MI, and GA legitimately voted for Hidin’ Biden (as well as a chance the thing was rigged). Roughly half of the USA believes the Left-liberal narrative. For this reason, a conservative movement to protect the First Amendment is imperative. A part of it will not only be civil disobedience against the appointment of judges who support “hate speech” laws (and calls for the impeachment and removal of sitting ones, such as Kagan), but also the support of non-legacy media.
Infidel says
Before dropping Le Pen like a hot potato, Gérald Darmanin ought to himself spell out explicitly for French voters – both her supporters and his own – what he thinks about islam. If he is the ole school panderer who’s only making this point to score cheap political points and help erode her base, they need to give him a HARD PASS!!!
Also, all those French bans on burqas, burqinis and so on – they just help muslims disguise themselves better. They do squat as long as they don’t address the underlying problem of muslims following islam
tim gallagher says
From what I have heard about the situation in France over the past 10 years or so, I’d say that the Le Pens and the party they have built up are the only people who have taken a hard line with stinking, barbaric Islam, so I’d back her anytime to really hammer islam if she can attain power, and I suspect, as others have commented here, that Le Pen is merely trying to win a few votes in this debate. As for Macron’s mob, I suspect they’ll always remain piss weak in dealing with islam even though they sound a bit stronger lately.
Richard says
Dear Monsieur Tim Gallagher.. SPOT ON! Macron & his momma ( aka wife ) are petrified and sadly useless. They have promulgated appeasement relentlessly and only with looming elections and increasing dead citizenry with tens of thousands of illegal immigrants flooding French shores daily has macron attempted placation. Yet he’s merely driven inciting imams temporarily underground as he’s failed deportations. So yes he’s merely a pretty faced useless tart !
Giacomo Latta says
During a debate or interview it is he or she who asks the questions who controls the debate. Le Pen should have supplied, or perhaps did supply, most of the questions.
Lavéritétriomphera says
Salut Frank,
In the United States, freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right provided in the religion clauses of the First Amendment (I read in Wikipedia) and Islam is the third largest religion in your country. That means Marine Le Pen is right Islam is to be regarded as a religion like any other, and it must be separated from political Islam and she intends to address underlying causes of Islamism. She is very clear on this issue: zero tolerance for Islamists.
But don’t worry islam is not in good health https://youtu.be/AkiEvlPoqDs.
They cannot win and I wish we all regain courage because it is not good to feel sorry for ourselves while hoping for better days.
Long live to USA
Amitiés
Frank Anderson says
Kevin you totally miss-take the Constitutional Provision protecting religion. A religion that is in fact a criminal conspiracy is not protected by that provision if some good for nothing, lazy, useless Quisling will apply the law. The inquiry regarding the US protection begins not with “is it a religion” and stop there; but “Is it a criminal activity with illegal goals or actions”. Islam has killed between 250 million and 1000 million people in 1400 years. It has conquered and enslaved, continuing its killing pretending to be a religion every day we live now.
If it is not a criminal conspiracy, why is France putting its soldiers in foreign countries to fight, kill people and be killed?
What does French Civil Code Law say about conspiracy? I searched and found a paper written in 1951 in English explaining Civil Law on conspiracy, and it seems pretty well to match US law, 1) Agreement 2) 2 or more persons 3) To act illegally or to use illegal means 4) ANY overt act by ANY participant in furtherance of the goal. The author of the paper seemed unfamiliar that US law requires that overt act for a conviction.
The distinction between political and religious islam is a sham. If you take the time to read as concise and direct an account as I have found, Bill Warner’s Abridged Koran, or many other books, the dichotomy is a total delusion in progress. There are some who will kill today, more who will help them now, and the rest are waiting their turn to kill and loot. Co-existence with infidels is absolutely temporary. Reform and apostasy are forbidden on death which can be imposed by any of the faithful without a charge or trial.
Lavéritétriomphera says
Bonjour Frank,
“A religion that is in fact a criminal conspiracy is not protected by that provision if some good for nothing, lazy, useless Quisling will apply the law.”
However and as far as I know Islam’s practice is not forbidden in USA unless you violate the federal laws which brings us to the previous problem: the political Islam.
Some of us have trouble to differentiate between the orthodox Islamic texts and the jihadist ideology because they think that Islam is by its very nature a political ideology. They are within their rights because I recall that freedom of opinion and expression is protected by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The stated policy of French government when it comes to our mission in Sahel is that our soldiers are fighting jihadists. We are not fighting Islam.
You know as well as I do that politics is an art of possible. A conscientious politician never rushes – everything in its own time.
It’s always informative to read your comments.
Bien à toi
Frank Anderson says
Friend Kevin, the art of the possible is what got France into WWII and Dien Bien Phu. I wish better for all of us than the “possible”. Several times in my life it has been necessary to reach for the impossible. And quite a few of those challenges I won. It was impossible to drive 1000 miles to follow a 39 year old trail to find and speak with my birth mother; but I did. It was impossible to stand down and crush a lying brother to take him out of power in a corporation he was using to plunder his brother, my client. But I did. It was impossible to make a machine that could deprime a Boxer cartridge that would not jam or break when a Berdan cartridge slipped in; but I did.
When every person who speaks such as Turkey’s Erdogan proclaims the singularity of islam, not a dichotomy of religious and political, the only people who try to make the distinction clearly know nothing about its fundamental teachings and practice, unchanged and unchangeable for 1400 years. Viktor Frankl’s Delusion of Reprieve is rampant with the imagined distinction between political and religious.
“The knowledge of one is the knowledge of all; The acts of one are the acts of all.” If you believe you can fight jihadists without fighting the religion that orders, compels, inspires and finances them, you are in a delusion.
Always best wishes. Frank
PHOOEY says
read my lips: HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT THE PROBLEM.
ISLAM IS THE PROBLEM.
ISLAM IS A ‘RELIGION’ UNLIKE ANY OTHER. IN FACT, ISLAM IS AN ENTIRE WAY OF LIFE, ENCOMPASSING JUDICIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS, AND REQUIRES OVERTHROWING ALL OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENT AND REPLACING ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WITH ISLAMIC LAW.
Lavéritétriomphera says
Friend Frank,
Bonsoir,
The art of the possible doesn’t exclude the choice, and I agree with you we can do the bad choice while at the same time attempting to achieve the impossible. There is nothing worse than persevering in the wrong direction. I am not sure Erdogan made the right choice regarding the rehabilitation of the Ottoman Empire. As I already said the Arabs didn’t keep a good memory of this Empire.
As far I am concern the separation of religions and politics is barely possible. That is especially true if the religious texts are political manifestos with internal contradictions.
We (the West) have elected politicians who are not there to teach theology. The imams, the priests, the pastors … have that responsibility, a duty even.
French government said he will fight political Islam. The message is highly clear.
Stay safe
Bien à toi