A French government report warns that the Muslim Brotherhood poses risks to national cohesion; Macron orders proposals for stronger countermeasures.
President Emmanuel Macron has instructed his government to draft new proposals to address the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood and the broader spread of political Islam in France, the Élysée Palace announced recently.
The French presidency’s statement followed a national security meeting convened by Macron to examine an internal government report warning that the Muslim Brotherhood poses “a threat to national cohesion” in France.
“Given the importance of the issue and the seriousness of the findings, he has asked the government to develop new proposals that will be reviewed at an upcoming Defense Council meeting in early June,” the Élysée said.
In an unusual step, Macron also decided to make the report public. AFP obtained a copy of the document.
The Élysée emphasized that while some measures will be publicly announced, others will remain classified.
Prepared by two senior civil servants, the report was commissioned by the government to assess the reach of the movement, founded in Egypt in 1928. It “clearly establishes the anti-republican and subversive nature of the Muslim Brotherhood” and “proposes ways to address this threat,” the presidency said ahead of the meeting.
France, along with Germany, has the largest Muslim population in the European Union. Authorities are eager to curb the spread of radical Islamist ideas in a country that has endured a series of deadly jihadist attacks in recent years.
Religious radicalization has become a highly sensitive political issue, especially as the far right gains ground in France.
The report has ignited heated reactions. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of inaction, writing on X that she has long proposed measures to “eradicate Islamist fundamentalism.” Jordan Bardella, head of her National Rally party, told France Inter radio: “If we come to power tomorrow, we will ban the Muslim Brotherhood.”
However, some critics denounced what they see as rising Islamophobia in France. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the outspoken leader of the radical left, wrote on X: “Islamophobia has crossed a line,” accusing the authorities of endorsing “the delusional theories” of Le Pen and hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
The report highlights the grassroots expansion of Islamist networks, describing the phenomenon as “a short- and medium-term threat.” At the same time, the presidency stressed, “We are all perfectly aligned in saying that we must not conflate all Muslims.”
“We are fighting Islamism and its radical excesses,” the Élysée underscored.
The report specifically singles out Musulmans de France (Muslims of France), which it identifies as the French national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.
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