French pres’l candidate Macron against revoking citizenship to fight terrorism

Presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he is against potentially divisive anti-terror measures, such as stripping dual nationals of French citizenship. (Photo: Emmanuel Macron/Facebook)

MOSCOW—Presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he is against potentially divisive anti-terror measures, such as stripping dual nationals of French citizenship.

“I am not in favor of the stripping of nationality or any other symbolic measures that would divide the country. What we need, is efficiency and action. And also to lead the moral and civilisational battle,” Macron told Le Parisien newspaper in an exclusive interview.

He also said that he is not considering any new legislation to help fight terrorism, but rather envisaged the creation of 10,000 police jobs in five years and the establishment of local intelligence.

The candidate added that he would evaluate the need to prolong or halt the state of emergency based on recommendations of the intelligence services.

French President Francois Hollande considered revoking the French citizenship of convicted terrorists, but later scrapped the plan. Hollande’s proposal was announced after the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, for which the Islamic State, a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many countries, claimed responsibility.

The state of emergency was declared following the November attacks and has been extended several times, with the latest etension expected to last until July 15.