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PARIS — President François Hollande announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing a proposal to strip French citizenship from dual nationals convicted of terrorism, ending a monthslong debate that convulsed his governing Socialist Party, dominated political discussion after the November terrorist attacks, and led to the resignation of the justice minister.
The idea, originally endorsed by right-wing parties and then adopted by Mr. Hollande three days after the deadly attacks on Nov. 13, provoked furious opposition on the left in France, even though all sides agreed it was largely symbolic and would have little practical effect in combating terrorism.
But the proposal highlighted a growing split among the Socialists between those who favored a tough law-and-order approach in the wake of the attacks that killed 130 people, and those worried that the government would be impinging on civil liberties.
Critics on Mr. Hollande’s left complained that the original idea would create two classes of citizens, saying it recalled the dark days of the World War II collaborationist government in France, which rendered hundreds of Jews stateless.
Read more @: Hollande Cancels Plan to Strip Citizenship in Terrorism Cases
I think this was a good call from the French president. This law could easily lead to a slippery slope and infringe on individuals civil liberties. Fear often leads to irrational acts and I believe this is one of them, Im glad to see the French president is looking for a way to avoid these acts.