Burkinis Will Be Banned Across France If Ex-French President Nicolas Sarkozy Is Re-Elected

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he will impose a national ban on burkinis in France if he's re-elected. Sarkozy, who is currently pinning for another presidency after losing the position in 2012, recently gave his first big speech of his candidacy and vowed to reclaim France “for the French.”

One of the many ways he plans to do this is by the banning burkini – a full length swim suit that only exposes a woman’s face, hands and feet mostly worn by Muslims – and other things he claimed immigrants, minorities and the Left party have been advocating for that could potentially destroy French culture, The Telegraph reported.

Upholding and securing French tradition and culture was the focal point of Sarkozy’s speech Thursday night in Provence, as he told a Front National crowd he would be “the president that re-establishes the authority of the state.”

“I refuse to let the burkini impose itself at French beaches and swimming pools ... there must be a law to ban it throughout the Republic’s territory,” the 61-year-old said.

Along with banning burkinis, Sarkozy pledged to veto other Muslim practices that separate men and women like instituting a separate timetable for men and women to utilize public swimming pools and beaches. He also promised to demand all immigrants and minorities speak French while living in the country.

Burkini bans have been a hot topic all around the world as more areas in France have started to place bans on the swimsuits. According to CNN, 15 French towns have banned the burkini in response to growing terror concerns.

While Sarkozy plans to place a national ban on burkinis in France if he gets re-elected, some are wondering how nuns and others who wear overtly religious clothing will be affected. People have been reacting to the burkini ban on Twitter with the trending hashtag #BurkiniBan, highlighting the hipocritical light bukini bans shine on other religions that are more nostalgic to French culture.

Check out a few #BurkiniBan reactions below: