Alain Policar was appointed to the Council of Sages for Secularism and Values of the Republic (CSL) in April 2023, sparking a campaign by the republican nationalist movement to urge the then Minister of National Education, Pap Ndiaye, to reconsider his decision. Despite this, Minister Ndiaye chose to uphold his decision in order to promote diverse viewpoints within the council. A year later, following an interview with Radio France Internationale where Alain Policar criticized the implementation of the law on religious symbols in schools, efforts to remove him gained momentum. Various coordinated initiatives, fueled by misrepresentation of his beliefs, led to the Minister of Education ultimately ending Alain Policar’s mandate, raising questions about democratic practices.
A campaign of slander, led by the secondary school teachers’ network Vigilance colleges lycées (of which several CSL members belong), gained support from Vigilance universities, the Observatory of Identitarian Ideologies, the magazine Marianne, and, to a lesser extent, the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (Licra). This campaign culminated in the publication of a petition in Le Point calling for Alain Policar’s removal from the CSL. The campaign resorted to exaggerations and lies without hesitation, with some members even insinuating violent outcomes if Policar remained in his position.
Despite the unfounded nature of the accusations, CSL president Dominique Schnapper wrote a letter to the Minister expressing that the conditions for Policar’s continued presence on the Council were no longer met. The notion that a member of the institution should not be allowed to criticize the law was endorsed by Minister Belloubet, who demanded Policar’s resignation. This raises the question of whether expressing personal views as a CSL member contradicts the Council’s function. Additionally, criticizing the way the ministry records violations of secularism, does it breach the duty of discretion? In response, it is argued that a member’s public stance does not automatically implicate the entire Council, as it does not necessarily reflect the views of all members.
The controversy surrounding Alain Policar’s removal from the CSL calls into question the principles of freedom of expression and democratic values. The coordinated efforts to silence a dissenting voice within the Council highlight the challenges faced in allowing diverse perspectives in public institutions. The decision to remove Policar based on misrepresentation and pressure from external groups raises concerns about the influence of political agendas on the functioning of democratic institutions. It is essential to uphold the principles of free speech and open debate within the Council of Sages in order to maintain a democratic and inclusive discourse on matters of secularism and values.
In conclusion, the case of Alain Policar’s dismissal from the Council of Sages for Secularism and Values of the Republic underscores the delicate balance between upholding freedom of expression and maintaining the integrity of public institutions. The campaign against Policar, fueled by slander and misrepresentation, raises questions about the ethical standards and democratic norms within the Council. Moving forward, it is crucial to ensure that diverse perspectives are respected and valued within institutions like the CSL, in order to foster a robust and inclusive dialogue on issues of secularism and national values.
