Women MPs stage sexism protest
MPs boycott the start of question session after chicken taunts during pension reform debate
WOMEN MPs boycotted the start of a questions session at the National Assembly after an MP made sexist taunts during the speech of MP Véronique Massonneau.
Ms Massonneau was interrupted several times by the sound of UMP MP Philippe Le Ray making chicken noises.
His actions were immediately criticised by the Assembly president Claude Bartolone, who suspended the session.
Une députée interrompue à l'Assemblée par des... par lemondefr
Women MPs of the Assembly’s left-wing parties boycotted the start of questions session, entering 15-minutes later to a mixture of applause, cheers and booing and prompting a further walkout by right-wing MPs.
Mr Le Ray will lose a quarter of his parliamentary allowance for one month.
The minister for women’s rights Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said the incident was regrettable.
“I think that, even at late hours, there are deputies who sit and work extremely hard on essential laws. One can only regret that some have difficulty conserving an attitude in keeping with their status, after dinners that are far too drunken,” she said.
The newspaper Sud Ouest has put together some of the “greatest hits” of sexism among French MPs here.
