French government dissolves far-right Catholic party Civitas

ISTANBUL

The French government on Wednesday dissolved the far-right Catholic party Civitas, accusing it of advocating war against the state, inciting hatred in society against LGBTQ people, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism.

Following a Cabinet meeting, government spokesman Olivier Veran announced the decision to dissolve Civitas, which had operated as an association since 1999 before becoming a political party in 2016.

Civitas views human rights as a means to undermine Christian civilization, he said, adding that the organization is harmful due to its promotion of hatred, anti-LGBTQ sentiments, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

According to Veran, Civitas promotes a hierarchy among French citizens, with these clearly anti-Semites and Islamophobes.

He accused the movement of attempting to "declare war on the state," including by using "force."

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin also stated on the social media platform X that the values promoted by the movement have no place in France.

In recent years, the Civitas movement gained notoriety for its anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Darmanin called for the party's dissolution on Aug. 8 in response to Civitas member Pierre Hillard's anti-Jewish remarks.

The movement, which calls itself a "traditionalist Catholic lobby," aims to "re-Christianize France" and has used anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim rhetoric.