The push by France’s Socialist government to revoke the citizenship of convicted terrorists with dual nationality after the Paris attacks has turned into a harsh political dispute, with the far-Right applauding the move while some on the Left express indignation at what they call a divisive measure.

French President Francois Hollande submitted the proposal three days after the November 13 attacks in Paris that left 130 dead, in a shift toward a hard line on security. The idea appears to have strong support in French public opinion. Several polls over the past week suggest that 80 to 90 per cent of the French are in favour of the measure. Under current French law, citizenship revocation can only be applied to people who have been naturalised, not if they are French-born, and the procedure is rarely implemented.

The new rules would extend it to all dual nationals, but cannot be applied to people who are only French citizens, as France’s obligations under international law prevent it from leaving a person stateless.