French Presidential Contender Marine Le Pen French presidential contender Marine Le Pen has criticised her main rival for linking his political credentials to his Christian faith. The far-right candidate Le Pen, who has scored political points in criticising the nation’s Muslim community, stated that Francois Fillon’s referencing of his Catholic faith is at odds with France’s secular tradition.
“The French are of course very attached to their religious beliefs,” Le Pen stated, “but the opportunistic use of that faith, to defend a certain political line, I find is contrary to the principle of laïcité and contrary to our values.”
Laïcité is the accepted French term for the separation of church and state.
Ms Le Pen turned her argument to France’s Muslims, asking how the country could convince members of that religion to pursue the secular traditions of France if the Catholic Fillon did not.