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Robert Ménard calls on Emmanuel Macron to testify in marriage refusal trial
Robert Ménard, the mayor of Béziers, is set to appear before the Montpellier judicial court on September 30, 2026. The trial concerns his 2023 decision to refuse the marriage of a French woman and an Algerian national who was subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF).
Ménard has announced his intention to request that President Emmanuel Macron testify in his defense. The mayor aims to have the President reiterate previous comments in which Macron described the legal situation as 'ubuesque' and noted that the law was 'badly made.'
Despite the prosecutor finding no evidence of marriage fraud in the original case, Ménard faces significant legal consequences for his refusal, including up to five years in prison, a 75,000 euro fine, and potential ineligibility for public office. A recent legislative attempt to grant mayors more authority to refuse marriages involving undocumented foreigners was rejected by the National Assembly in June 2026.
Entities
Béziers · Emmanuel Macron · French National Assembly · Montpellier · Robert Menard
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] In May 2025, President Macron stated that the law was 'badly made' regarding this matter. observalgerie.com · www.lejdd.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The legal case stems from Ménard's 2023 refusal to marry an Algerian national subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). www.algerie360.com · observalgerie.com · www.lejdd.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A legislative proposal to allow mayors to refuse marriages involving undocumented foreigners was rejected by the National Assembly in June 2026. observalgerie.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Béziers prosecutor found no evidence of fraud in the marriage attempt in 2023. www.algerie360.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Robert Ménard faces up to five years in prison, a 75,000 euro fine, and potential ineligibility for office. www.algerie360.com · www.lejdd.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Robert Ménard is scheduled to appear before the Montpellier judicial court on September 30, 2026. www.algerie360.com · observalgerie.com · www.lejdd.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Emmanuel Macron previously described the situation regarding the marriage refusal as 'ubuesque'. www.algerie360.com · observalgerie.com · www.lejdd.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Robert Ménard intends to ask President Emmanuel Macron to testify on his behalf during his upcoming trial. www.algerie360.com · observalgerie.com · www.lejdd.fr