In a remarkable development, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin called the Grenoble city government’s decision to allow women to wear the burkini (Islamic swimsuit) in municipal swimming pools “provocative and contrary to French values”, while promising to work to change it by filing an appeal.
Darmanan’s decision comes amid renewed controversy in France over some Muslim women wearing burkinis to hide their bodies and hair while swimming.
On Monday, the Alpine city of Grenoble changed its rules for the use of public swimming pools to allow all types of bathing suits, not just traditional women’s swimwear and men’s shorts.
