BY Angelique Chrisafis in Paris

Political rows over Muslim women’s clothing have weighed on French politics for more than a decade – from the ban on headscarves in state schools to Nicolas Sarkozy’s outlawing of the niqab, or full-face veil, in all public spaces. The current and growing controversy over mayors banning burkinis on beaches has proved one of the most divisive.

The Socialist prime minister, Manuel Valls, broke his silence on Wednesday to say he understood and supported the handful of seaside town mayors who have banned burkinis, or full-body swimsuits.

He said wearing a burkini was “not compatible with the values of the French Republic,” but refused to pass a nationwide law banning it. He hinted at the importance of not “playing politics” with such issues, but his support for the mayors was greeted with joy by the right and sparked criticism from some in his Socialist party.

“In the face of provocation, the nation must defend itself,” Valls told La Provence newspaper.

With presidential and parliamentary elections due next year, politicians are acutely aware of the tension and fear running high inFrance following the death of more than 230 people in terrorist attacks in the past 19 months.

Last month in Nice, 85 people were killed when a Tunisian delivery driver drove at crowds watching Bastille Day fireworks. Less than two weeks later, two attackers who proclaimed allegiance to Islamic Statekilled a priest in his church in Normandy. July’s attacks have led the right to push its political agenda firmly on to issues of terrorism, security and the place of Islam in French society.

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