The French parliament is suspended after a black MP was urged to return to Africa by a far-right opponent
- At the time, Carlos Martens Bilongo asked questions about climate change
- ‘Go back to Africa!’ was heard from the benches of the Reich Assembly
- Front National MP Gregoire de Fournas was identified as the perpetrator
The French parliament was suspended today after a black MP was told: “Go back to Africa!”. by a far-right opponent.
Carlos Martens Bilongo, a 31-year-old of Congolese descent, asked a question about climate change when he was verbally attacked at the Paris National Assembly on Thursday afternoon.
‘Go back to Africa!’ was heard from the benches of the National Rallye – the far-right party led by Marine Le Pen.
The Vice President on Duty, the equivalent of the Speaker, immediately asked, “Who is the MP who said that phrase? It is not possible.’
There were chances of ‘Get out, get out, get out!’ by Mr Bilongo’s colleagues from the left party France Insoumis (France Unbowed).
Carlos Martens Bilongo, a 31-year-old of Congolese descent, asked a question about climate change when he was verbally attacked at the Paris National Assembly on Thursday afternoon. Pictured: The National Assembly today
Then the culprit was identified as Grégoire de Fournas, the 31-year-old national rally MP for the Gironde department in south-west France.
Mr De Fournas immediately tried to explain himself, saying he was referring to “an African boat” that was having trouble “running back into port”.
It follows Ms Le Pen, who came second in this year’s presidential election and vowed to change the image of her notoriously racist party, formerly called the Front National.
It was founded by Ms. Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who is now a convicted racist and Holocaust denier.
France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin indicated that Ms Le Pen’s racist party had not changed at all.
Mr Darmanin tweeted: “Racism by a Member of the National Assembly: From FN to RN the name changes but the despicable references and despicable habits remain. Such a shame.’
It follows Ms Le Pen, who came second in this year’s presidential election and vowed to change the image of her notoriously racist party, formerly called the Front National
Mr Bilongo accused the RN of attacking him because of the color of his skin.
He said: “Today I was reduced to the color of my skin. I was born in France, I’m a French MP. We see the true colors of the National Rally. It’s embarrassing. Thank you to all the MPs who have teamed up with me’
Parliamentary authorities, meanwhile, said there would be a full investigation into Mr De Fournas’ comments.
The RN celebrated its 50th birthday earlier this month, and Marine Le Pen said it was “ready to govern”.
Her party won 89 seats in the National Assembly – the highest number since the party was founded by Jean Marie Le Pen in 1972.