The Assemblée Nationale, Author: Ans Kumar
Women politicians around the world are used to having their clothing dissected and discussed. In France, the attention has turned to the men for once. A row has broken out over how male members of the Assemblée Nationale should be dressed. Should they wear a tie when seated in the chamber, or not?
On the side of the tie-wearing brigade is the always-suited-and-booted Eric Ciotti, member of the centre-right Les Républicains. Originally reported in Var Matin, Ciotti complains of a decline in sartorial standards (un relâchement vestiaire) since the start of the new parliament. Chief in his sights are the members of the left-wing La France Insoumise, many of whom proudly go tie-free. He has written a letter to the chamber's president to demand a tightening of standards.
That met with swift retorts from the 'keep-it-casual' brigade. Alma Dufour is a député with the LFI and represents a constituency in the Normandy region (Seine-Maritime 4ème). When another member of Les Républicains echoed Eric Ciotti's concerns about dress codes, she tweeted back that parliamentarians are elected to represent their constituents and not to buy €3,000 suits.
So what do the rules currently say?
Article 9 of the National Assembly's rules say nothing about wearing ties but there are rules about no clothing with slogans, commercial sponsors and religious symbols. The rules do state that clothing should be neutral and resemble a ‘tenue de ville’, which might be translated as normal office wear. Given how few men wear ties to the office these days - assuming they’re even going to the office - it’s hard to see how tie wearing is about to be made compulsory in parliament.
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