Controversy
is growing in France over an open letter signed by former and serving
members of the military, warning of the threat of civil war.
Around 1,000 servicemen and women, including some 20 retired generals, put their names to the letter.
"The hour is grave, France is in peril," they wrote last week.
Ministers
have strongly condemned the message, which was published by a
right-wing magazine on the 60th anniversary of a failed coup d'état.
"Two
immutable principles guide the action of members of the military with
regard to politics: neutrality and loyalty," tweeted the minister in
charge of the armed forces, Florence Parly.
However
far-right leader and candidate in next year's presidential election,
Marine Le Pen, has spoken out in support of the former generals.
What does the letter say?
The
letter warns French President Emmanuel Macron, his government and MPs
of "several deadly dangers" threatening France, including "Islamism and
the hordes of the banlieue" - the impoverished immigrant suburbs that
surround French cities.
The
signatories go on to blame "a certain anti-racism" for creating
divisions between communities, and seeking to create "racial war" by
attacking statues and other aspects of French history.
"It
is no longer the time to procrastinate, otherwise tomorrow civil war
will put an end to this growing chaos and deaths - for which you will be
responsible - with numbers in the thousands," the letter concludes.
What has the reaction been?
Members
of the French military, whether actively serving or reservists, are
forbidden from expressing public opinions on religion and politics, and
Ms Parly has called for those who signed the letter to be punished.
"For
who have violated the duty of reserve, sanctions are planned, and if
there are active soldiers among the signatories, I asked the chief of
staff of the armed forces to apply the rules... that is to say,
sanctions," she told radio network France Info on Monday.
Ms
Parly cited the case of a former general in the Foreign Legion who was
expelled from the military for taking part in a protest against migrants
in Calais.
Why was the timing significant?
The failed coup d'état involved generals seeking to prevent Algeria - then a French colony - from gaining independence.
But
French nationalist politician Marine Le Pen welcomed the letter,
calling on the generals to join her in "the battle of France" - causing
further controversy.
Many in the French media are expressing surprise that Marine Le Pen came out in support of the generals.
Cosying
up to would-be putschists is what her father was supposed to specialise
in. He was the one who was close to the anti-Gaullist hardliners of 60
years ago. He was the one who loved to flirt with illegality. Not Marine
and her new-look National Rally.
So has she miscalculated? Some think so.
Coming
out for a group of ex-generals - even of the armchair variety - who are
so obviously overstepping the bounds and dabbling in politics - this
makes it much easier for President Macron to paint her as a traditional
French reactionary, heir to her father, Vichy and the rest.
Voters
from the mainstream right, who might have been tempted by her apparent
recent conversion to the EU and sound money, will perhaps be thinking
twice.
But
looked at another way, maybe Marine Le Pen felt she had no choice but
to back the letter. After all, no-one thinks there is any serious chance
of a military coup, so she didn't think she could be accused of
encouraging insurrection.
And
the analysis of France's travails was identical to her own. If - in her
view - the analysis is also one shared by a silent majority of the
French, then she could hardly disown it
