The Mandiner wrote that last week a group of French soldiers wrote an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, calling on his government to take immediate action regarding Islamism. The government is now promising retaliation.
The warned the Macron administration in an open letter last week that "fanatical partisans" are deliberately driving a wedge into French society and that the Islamists are slowly taking over control of the state can expect retaliation from the French government. power.
Some quotes from the open letter:
"Dear Mr. President, distinguished members of the government, distinguished members of the National Assembly!
The national tricolor is not just a piece of fabric, but also symbolizes the traditions for which our ancestors gave their lives in the service of France, regardless of their skin color or religion. These flags bear the following words in gold letters: »Honneur et Patrie« [Honor and Homeland].
(…)
Today, some people talk about racism, the colonial past (…), while these hateful and fanatical partisans want to incite a race-based war by using these terms.
(…)
Today, the Islamists and some urban hordes are undertaking to create zones within the country in which dogmas that are contrary to our constitution can rule, by isolating certain areas of land. They do this despite the fact that every single French person, regardless of their world view, is at home in France everywhere.
(…)
The danger is growing and the violence is getting stronger every day. Who would have thought 10 years ago that a professor could be executed in the open street (…)? We, the servants of the nation, who have always been ready to offer our lives as security for our service as required by the state, cannot stand idly by.
(…)
It can be seen that there is no time for idleness; otherwise civil war may end the matter tomorrow as a result of the ever-increasing chaos for which you will be responsible. (…)”
The open letter published by Valeurs Actuelles on April 21, the anniversary of a failed coup attempt against de Gaulle sixty years ago . "The situation is serious, France is in danger," warned the soldiers, who were later supported by far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. According to the BBC no stakes , because according to analysts, there is very little chance that the above open letters will be followed by real actions, so it does not even occur to Le Pen that he would lead any kind of coup attempt with this gesture.
Afterwards, Le Pen was ready to qualify her statement. France24 , the politician said that although he agrees with the soldiers' assessment of the situation ,
"these problems can only be solved through politics."
At the same time, he assured the retired soldiers of his principled support and - also through an open letter - invited them to his own campaign.
However, the action was later described as inappropriate and unprofessional by the minister responsible for national defense, Florence Parly. on Twitter that
"those serving in the armed forces must be guided by two principles during their service: neutrality and loyalty."
He also warned that those active soldiers who added their names to the open letter could expect to be punished, as they violated the relevant legislation that they must remain politically neutral.
Author: Gergely Dobozi
Featured image: Joel Saget / Europress/AFP
