Sarkozy rejects austerity measures

On the 22 June 2009 French President Nicolas Sarkozy outlined his programme for the second half of his five-year term. He discussed his approach for dealing with the impact on France of the global economic crisis.

Mr Sarkozy also backed a proposal for a parliamentary inquiry into the wearing of the burka, or face-covering veil. Many French politicians equate the wearing of the burka to female oppression and argue that it runs counter to France's tradition of integration. The president said the burka was 'not welcome in France'.

ESO: Background information: France and Islam. A burqa barrier http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-and-islam-a-burqa-barrier/

BBC News, 22.6.09: Sarkozy speaks out against burka http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8112821.stm

Deutsche welle, 22.6.09: French president criticizes the burqa in wide-ranging, historical speech http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4415862,00.html

France24, 22.6.09: Sarkozy tackles financial crisis, burqa in landmark speech http://www.france24.com/en/20090622-sarkozy-announces-national-loan-manage-crisis-parliament-speech-versailles

The Economist, No.8637, 27.6.09: Sarkozy addresses parliament. The state of the state http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13925898

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