French politicians back controversial counter-terrorism measure

French legislators voted on 10 February to amend the Constitution, in a package of changes among which will see individuals with joint nationality stripped of their French nationality if they are convicted of terrorist offences. This is one of several controversial proposals made by President François Hollande following the November 2015 terrorist attacks in the capital, Paris. The nationality amendment won significant public support, but has divided the ruling Socialist Party and prompted the resignation of justice minister, Christiane Taubira. Parliament voted the same day to extend the state of emergency imposed after the attacks, for a further three months. The lower house voted 317-199 (with 51 abstentions) to adopt the measures. These now need the Senate’s support before they can pass into law.

PARIS (AFP) - Lawmakers in France's Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 9) voted through a highly controversial proposal to amend the Constitution to strip people convicted of terrorist offences of their French nationality.

The measure, passed by a show of hands, followed weeks of debate and is one of a tough set of measures proposed by President Francois Hollande in the wake of the militant attacks in Paris on Nov 13 that killed 130 people.

The nationality measure has strong public support but has deeply divided Mr Hollande's ruling Socialist Party.

Ms Christiane Taubira resigned as justice minister late last month over her opposition to it and Mr Hollande's former prime minister, Mr Jean-Marc Ayrault, has publicly condemned the amendment.

Lawmakers will vote on Wednesday on the collective package of measures proposed by Mr Hollande. They voted on Monday in favour of the other key measure in the package - the move to enshrine the state of emergency in the Constitution.

Earlier on Tuesday, Parliament overwhelmingly voted to extend the current state of emergency by another three months, giving police and security forces increased powers.

Rights groups say police are abusing these powers, but the government says it is an essential step to protect the nation at a time when France could face another attack.