French Government in Discord over Roma Policy

File photo showing French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and foreign minister Bernard Kouchner (R) embracing. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Senior members of the French government PM François Fillon and foreign minister Bernard Kouchner have voiced disagreement over President Sarkozy's approach to Roma in France, reports Euractiv Tuesday.

Foreign minister Kouchner has been more explicit, saying he even considered resigning after President Sarkozy's voiced intentions and actions on deporting Roma to Bulgaria and Romania.

Kouchner was also disaffected with the rhetoric surrounding the issue, saying “I am not happy about this controversy, about this kind of verbal mayonnaise” in an interview for RTL.

He nevertheless decided not to desert in resignation amid the controversy.

Although PM Fillon tried to play down the force of Kouchner's statements, he himself also voiced disagreements with the French President's stance.

“One doesn't need to politicise the immigration issue... There have been, in my camp, a number of statements over the summer that I didn't accept, because I think one should not unnecessarily overheat such an issue,” Kouchner said.

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