Paris attacks: French MPs back constitutional changes

MPs have approved the measures - but a long parliamentary battle still lies ahead

French MPs have voted overwhelmingly to change state-of-emergency provisions in the constitution, following November's attacks in Paris.

The lower house voted 317-199 to adopt the package of measures. There were 51 abstentions.

As well as enshrining emergency powers in the constitution, the package of measures would allow terror convicts to be stripped of their citizenship.

But the vote still has to jump several hurdles before it passes into law.

It needs support from the Senate and will then have to be approved by a two-thirds vote of a joint session of parliament, which is likely to take weeks or months.

Nonetheless, it is a significant victory for the French government, which had faced opposition from leading voices, some among its own ranks, say correspondents.

Justice Minister Christian Taubira resigned last month in protest at the measures.

Critics say the proposal to strip those convicted of terror offences of their French citizenship could only apply to people with a second nationality, which would make two tiers of citizenship.

President Francois Hollande outlined the changes in the aftermath of the gun and bomb attacks by Islamist militants who targeted a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars - leaving 130 people dead and hundreds more wounded.

Source:BBC