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2 clusters · 5 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

Legal trial of Robert Ménard over marriage refusal

Overview

Robert Ménard, the mayor of Béziers, is preparing for a trial at the Montpellier judicial court scheduled for September 30, 2026. The legal proceedings stem from a July 2023 incident in which Ménard refused to officiate the marriage of a French woman and an Algerian national who was subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF).

Although prosecutors found no evidence of marriage fraud and noted that marriage rights are not contingent on residency status, Ménard faces potential penalties including up to five years in prison, a 75,000 euro fine, and ineligibility for public office.

Ménard has declined a plea bargain and intends to request that President Emmanuel Macron testify in his defense. The mayor seeks to use the President’s previous descriptions of the legal situation as ‘ubuesque’ and a ‘debate of common sense’ to argue that current regulations create conflicting obligations for local officials regarding state deportation policies.

Entities

Emmanuel Macron · Robert Menard · Béziers · French National Assembly · Montpellier

Timeline

  1. 10 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Robert Ménard seeks Emmanuel Macron as witness in upcoming trial

    Béziers mayor Robert Ménard has requested President Emmanuel Macron testify in his trial regarding his 2023 refusal to officiate a marriage involving an Algerian national under a removal order.

  2. 14 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Robert Ménard calls on Emmanuel Macron to testify in marriage refusal trial

    Béziers mayor Robert Ménard will face trial on September 30 for refusing to marry an Algerian national under an OQTF. He has called on President Emmanuel Macron to testify in his defense.

Sources

civitas.dk · family.fr · lejdd.fr · observalgerie.com · policeetrealites.com