French Sen. François-Noël Buffet, a member of the right-wing Les Républicains party, was nominated last month to the position of Defender of Rights (DDD) and was approved by parliament in a 43-39 vote on Tuesday. Buffet’s nomination drew criticism because he opposes marriage equality and reproductive health care.

Buffet will now serve a six-year term as DDD that can’t be revoked before it’s over. The independent position, which is named in the constitution, will require him to be a watchdog for rights and freedoms, according to Le Figaro. The office comes with significant investigative powers and can intervene in certain areas related to whistleblowers, children’s rights, and discrimination.

  • Lucie (she/her)@quokk.au
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    1 day ago

    Something not mentioned in the article is that in 2024 he voted for a transphobic law that would have prevented minors from being called by their preferred name in school.

    • 𝙈𝙞𝙖@quokk.auOP
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      1 day ago

      Thanks for pointing that out. It sounds like this person is going to be truly horrific for human rights in France for the next 6 years.

  • ol_capt_joe@piefed.ee
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    2 days ago

    Defender of Rights, not Lefts

    So, the French, are you going to show the world how you get someone to change their attitude / resign before their 6-year irrevocable term is over?

  • Solumbran@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    “Right wing Les Republicains” that, according to politics experts, is a party with absolutely no difference to the far-right extremists.

    But Macron did such a good job at normalizing nazis that all media is now treating the far-right as moderate, if not center.

  • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca
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    1 day ago

    anti-marriage equality march

    That’s weird. People who march against marriage on the basis of equality?

    Wait. That makes sense, given the historically one-sided power distribution in marriage. I’d almost march against marriage on the basis of promoting equality, but my wife would kill me.