France's Socialist government reiterated its opposition to decriminalising marijuana Monday after Education Minister Vincent Peillon (pictured) said Sunday that legalisation deserved debate, sparking criticism from the right-wing opposition.
France's Socialist government was forced to reassert its opposition to
legalising cannabis on Monday after the education minister drew howls of
outrage by calling for a debate on the issue.
Education Minister Vincent Peillon raised the issue on Sunday, saying
legalising cannabis was a "serious question" that warranted debate. After
the remarks were pounced on by France's right-wing opposition, Prime Minister
Jean-Marc Ayrault's office insisted government policy had not changed. "The
prime minister and Mr. Peillon spoke on the telephone this morning, there will
be no decriminalisation of cannabis," Ayrault's office said.
In a broadcast organised by France Inter radio, Le Monde and AFP,
Peillon had said: "This question is worth asking, and I am amazed
sometimes by how France is a bit behind on this subject, which for me is
important." After coming under fire for the remarks, Peillon issued a
statement saying his comments reflected his "personal opinion" and
were in no way "contrary to the complete and total solidarity" within
the government.
Former prime minister Francois Fillon of the right-wing UMP called
Peillon's remarks "irresponsible and dangerous", saying: "The
ban on consuming cannabis in France remains more than ever necessary to protect
our children." UMP party leader Jean-Francois Cope called on President
Francois Hollande to react to the minister's statements. "The legalisation
of so-called soft drugs is simply unacceptable," Cope said on France Info
radio, citing "dozens and dozens of researchers around the world" who
have pointed to the dangerous effects of smoking cannabis.
The controversy highlighted what critics say is increasing confusion and
dis-organisation within the government formed after Hollande won the presidency
in May, which saw the Socialists take power for the first time in a decade.
France24
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