ISTANBUL

Left-wing and centrist lawmakers in the French parliament on Wednesday succeeded in approving the establishment of the France-Palestine Friendship Group in the National Assembly after months of debate.

The decision allowing the formation of friendship groups in the National Assembly, which was supported by left-wing and centrist lawmakers after months of debate, has already sparked controversy, Le Journal du Dimanche reported.

In France, parliamentary friendship groups are typically formed when a country has a recognized parliament, is a UN member state, and maintains diplomatic relations with France.

Richard Ramos, a Democratic Movement (MoDem) MP and proponent of the initiative defended the decision as a step toward "balance" in parliament.

"It is unthinkable to have a friendship group with Israel without an equivalent for Palestine," he said, adding that the US Senate already has a similar structure in place.

The move comes amid broader political tensions, with the leadership of both the new France-Palestine and the existing France-Israel groups yet to be determined.

The presidency of these groups will be decided at a meeting scheduled for Nov. 25, when the France-Israel group, currently led by French President Macron's party, may face a challenge from the far-right National Rally.