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French justice minister under fire for refusing to sing Marseillaise 'karaoke' French justice minister under fire for refusing to sing Marseillaise 'karaoke'
(35 minutes later)
France's justice minister is facing calls for her resignation after she refused to take part in what she called "karaoke" by singing the French national anthem.France's justice minister is facing calls for her resignation after she refused to take part in what she called "karaoke" by singing the French national anthem.
Christiane Taubira was criticised on her Facebook page for refusing to sing the Marseillaise at a ceremony commemorating the abolition of slavery on Saturday. The political storm deepened when she responded by posting a long justification, in which she said that "some occasions are more suitable for contemplation … than stage karaoke." Christiane Taubira was criticised on her Facebook page for refusing to sing the Marseillaise at a ceremony on Saturday commemorating the abolition of slavery. The political storm deepened when she responded by posting a long justification, in which she said that "some occasions are more suitable for contemplation … than stage karaoke."
She referred to other occasions when she had decided to remain silent during the singing of the national anthem, and described the Marseillaise as the most abused song in France.She referred to other occasions when she had decided to remain silent during the singing of the national anthem, and described the Marseillaise as the most abused song in France.
Jean-Pierre Copé, the head of the centre-right opposition party, the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), said he was deeply shocked by Taubira's comments. "She is a minister of the republic. There are things which one cannot say, that one doesn't have the right to say," he told Europe1 radio.Jean-Pierre Copé, the head of the centre-right opposition party, the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), said he was deeply shocked by Taubira's comments. "She is a minister of the republic. There are things which one cannot say, that one doesn't have the right to say," he told Europe1 radio.
Taubira, who steered France's controversial same-sex marriage law through parliament, has long been a favourite target of the French right. Copé said on Monday that she should have resigned long ago over her "extremely lax" plans to reform the penal system.Taubira, who steered France's controversial same-sex marriage law through parliament, has long been a favourite target of the French right. Copé said on Monday that she should have resigned long ago over her "extremely lax" plans to reform the penal system.
The Front National leader, Marine Le Pen, also called for Taubira's resignation. In a statement, she said that the minister, who was born in French Guiana, had shown her true face and that of the Socialist government. "This unacceptable gaffe is in fact highly symbolic proof of their scorn for France, its history and its people who like to sing its hymn and who are proud of it."The Front National leader, Marine Le Pen, also called for Taubira's resignation. In a statement, she said that the minister, who was born in French Guiana, had shown her true face and that of the Socialist government. "This unacceptable gaffe is in fact highly symbolic proof of their scorn for France, its history and its people who like to sing its hymn and who are proud of it."
The magazine Le Point carried out an online poll on Monday, revealing that out of more than 12,000 people who voted, 80 percent wanted Taubira to resign. Le Point magazine carried out an online poll on Monday, revealing that out of more than 12,000 people who voted, 80% wanted Taubira to resign.
The row comes at a time when the issue of national pride has come to the fore thanks to a surprise hit comedy film Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu?, or What Have We Done to the Good Lord, which tackles casual racism. One of the key moments in the film shows three French bridegrooms who are Jewish, Arab and African giving a passionate rendition of the Marseillaise. The row comes at a time when the issue of French national pride has come to the fore thanks to a surprise hit comedy film Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu?, or What Have We Done to the Good Lord?, which tackles casual racism. One of the key moments in the film shows three French bridegrooms who are Jewish, Arab and African giving a passionate rendition of the Marseillaise.
Taubira herself has been the butt of racist attacks during her tenure as justice minister, particularly from the extreme right.Taubira herself has been the butt of racist attacks during her tenure as justice minister, particularly from the extreme right.