Communist senators Ian Brossat and Pierre Ouzoulias are calling on the French government to put a stop to what they describe as “fundamentalist” Christian protests following a street prayer organised by Catholics in Paris to “atone for the blasphemy” of the Olympic Games opening ceremony.

On October 10, in a letter to the French Minister of Interior Bruno Retailleau, they expressed concern at the government’s apparent lack of response to the event.

“These fundamentalist practices raise concerns for us as they challenge the foundations of our republican principles. In our country, the offence of blasphemy is no longer part of the law. Every citizen has the right to express a critical opinion about religion, as long as it does not offend its followers,” they said.