“I made a terrible mistake”: Jean-Luc Mélenchon admits changing his position on the veil

Jean-Luc Mélenchon says he made a “terrible mistake” by opposing the Islamic veil, a reversal that has reopened criticism of his political evolution.

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I made a terrible mistake.

Speaking to La France Insoumise activists in Paris, Mélenchon acknowledged that he had changed his mind over the years. He said he had once failed to understand the issue, but later spoke with women who wore the veil, women who were deeply religious but did not wear it, and women who were not religious and believed everyone should decide for themselves.

Those conversations convinced him that his earlier position had been wrong. Mélenchon, who now presents himself as a leading opponent of Islamophobia, has faced accusations that he abandoned the secular, universalist tradition of the left. His previous language remains part of the dispute: in 2010 he described the veil as a “sign of patriarchal submission,” and in 2017 called it a “cloth on the head.”

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There was also a time when I disagreed with this veil issue, I did not understand it.

Mélenchon also told his supporters not to copy the tone of nationalist right-wing activists on X. “Comrades, everyone make an effort, do not resemble them. No insults, no sexism, no abuse,” he said. He urged them to take additional care in their treatment of Marine Le Pen because she is a woman. Mélenchon is set to face Le Pen in a presidential election for the fourth time.

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Comrades, everyone make an effort, do not resemble them. No insults, no sexism, no abuse.