Both government and opposition politicians consider the Green party mayor’s decision unacceptable, arguing that it generously supports foreign influence. A member of the largest opposition party has launched a petition against central payouts towards the construction of a controversial mosque.

When Jeanne Barseghian, Strasbourg s Green Party mayor, threw its weight behind the construction of the Eyyub Sultan Mosque by committing an additional more than 2,5 million euros, his actions have stirred up a heated political debate in France. If completed, the Eyyub Sultan Mosque will be the largest in Europe.

Apparently, the government and the opposition see eye to eye regarding the generous donation. It did not sit well with either of them that the local government s Green Party leaders are giving away millions to support the construction of a mosque, to be run by an Islamist organisation whose leader has refused to sign a government-sponsored charter which stipulates that the values of the French Republic are superior to Islamic doctrines.

In a recent television interview Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stressed that he would not accept any foreign intervention on French soil. The fact that Strasbourg s leaders are supporting the construction of a mosque which run by an organisation that failed to condemn political Islam and the complete denial of the Catholic faith is clearly unacceptable, he added.

Citizenship Minister Marlene Schiappa was also of the opinion that the Strasbourg city council is making a serious political mistake by funding the construction of the mosque. Ms Schiappa condemned the city s Green Party leadership for openly siding with radical Islamism. She believes that Strasbourg s mayor has issues with the principles of the Republic and maintains that not a penny of taxpayers money should be spent on a group that is obviously the enemy of the French Republic.

Members of France s largest opposition party, the right-wing National Rally, have also condemned Strasbourg s decision. Party delegate Gaetan Dussausaye told a recent TV show that Muslim leaders who refuse to sign the state-sponsored charter that enshines the French Republic s values should leave France and continue their missions elsewhere. With this statement, Mr Dussausaye effectively called for the departure of one of the regional leaders of the organisation operating the mosque under construction, who replied it is Mr Dussausaye that ought to respect him, or leave France instead.

Upon receiving the news Laurent Jacobelli, another National Rally member, immediately launched a petition to gather signatures against Strasbourg s 2.5-million-euro subsidy towards the contruction of the mosque. The document has already been signed by more than 3,000 people.

The initiative was also backed by National Rally chief Marine Le Pen, who called for cooperation against pro-Islamic Green Party politicians on Twitter.

This is not the only recent Green Party decision that appears to favour Muslim communities and runs counter to the traditions of France. Mayors in many big French cities have made a slew of incomprehensible decisions: in September Lyon s first man, Gregory Doucet, described the legendary Tour de France cycling race as macho and something that pollutes the environment. Later, a few weeks ago, he sparked another huge controversy by banishing meat from school canteens.

In another big city, Bordeaux, Mayor Pierre Hurmic made headline news last autumn by announcing that the city would not erect a Christmas tree, arguing that he – as a member of the environmentalist party with a different agenda – was appaled by the sight of dead pine trees.