France mayor suspended over calling for prohibition of Islam

“The Muslim religion must be banned in France” and that anyone who practices the religion must be “immediately escorted to the border,” Robert Chardon, the UMP mayor of southern French town Venelles, said in a tweet, the Independent reported on Sunday.
 
Chardon also claimed that Islam would be banned in France by 2027.
 
French Former President Nicolas Sarkozy, the leader of the UMP party, has condemned Chardon's comments.
 
“I condemn this proposal even if secularism also means fixing limits. Rights and limits go together,” he said.
 
“I have called for the expulsion procedure to be started for these absurd statements that in no way reflect the values and program of the UMP,”  said UMP Vice-president Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet.
 
Initially, it was thought that the tweet was sent after the account of Chardon, who is receiving treatment for cancer, was hacked, but the mayor confirmed that he personally sent the message.    
 
“During my treatment, I've been thinking and I came to this conclusion. Islam should be banned in France, but also a Marshall Plan should be established to allow those who want to practice the Muslim religion to do so in their home country,” he said.