The tension in the French National Assembly has escalated following the exclusion of LFI deputy Sébastien Delogu for brandishing a Palestinian flag during a parliamentary session. Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, released a detailed justification for the sanction in a three-minute video on the social network X. She reiterated the rules of the parliamentary chamber, emphasizing the 'unacceptable' nature of Delogu's actions which led to his exclusion for 15 sitting days, the maximum possible penalty.
The incident occurred after an intervention by fellow LFI MP, Alma Dufour, addressing the Israeli offensive in Rafah. Delogu's action provoked outrage and led to a suspension of the session, spearheaded by Braun-Pivet, who condemned the behavior as disruptive to parliamentary proceedings. The lower house's office promptly supported excluding Delogu, a decision that has only been taken thrice in the Fifth Republic's history. LFI members expressed their 'stupefaction' at the severe measure.
Braun-Pivet explained the strict regulations regarding the display of flags, photos, or other significant symbols in the Assembly, emphasizing that these acts are subject to sanctions. She described the four types of sanctions, highlighting those that require the assembly's office's intervention and a subsequent vote by all deputies. The recent turmoil in the chamber, exacerbated by the confrontation between LFI deputies and related LR Meyer Habib, further complicated the Assembly's ability to resume its work.
Delogu, penalized previously, faced censorship with a 15-day exclusion, which the Assembly voted for. Groups from Renaissance, RN, LR, Democrats, Horizon, and Liot supported the sanction, contrasting with the opposing stance of LFI, PS, Greens, and GDR members. Delogu's exclusion and the context of his protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza have ignited significant controversy, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions within French politics.
Following his exclusion, Delogu announced plans to refer the matter to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He criticized the sanction as indicative of an 'authoritarian regime,' expressing his intent to expose alleged double standards within the National Assembly. This stance has elevated his prominence within the Palestinian cause in France, significantly boosting his follower count on social media, with his protest video surpassing two million views.
Delogu's actions and subsequent exclusion come just nine days before the European elections, where the LFI has prioritized the situation in Gaza as a campaign focal point. The political ramifications of this incident are poised to continue impacting the discourse within and beyond the French National Assembly.
- Sébastien Nadot, another deputy, previously faced a less severe sanction for brandishing a banner with a political message, highlighting disparities in the Assembly's responses to similar actions. The Assembly's handling of these incidents underscores ongoing debates about freedom of expression and the role of symbols in political discourse.
- Yaël Braun-Pivet, criticized for her stance amid the Israeli offensive in Gaza, reaffirmed that the Assembly's rules aim to ensure order and focused debate. She emphasized that the severity of sanctions correlates with the disruption caused, not the symbol's nature. As political tensions continue to mount, the Assembly's approaches to maintaining decorum and addressing contentious issues remain under scrutiny.
