French conservative party moves against mayor who wants to ban Islam, amid religious tensions
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}France's main opposition conservative party, the UMP, is seeking to punish a mayor in its ranks who called for banning Islam, the country's No. 2 religion.
Robert Chardon, mayor of the southern town of Venelles, tweeted an appeal to ban Islam on Thursday night. Later he was quoted by Le Monde as proposing a plan for Muslims to practice their religion "in their country of origin."
France has an estimated 5 million Muslims, most of whom are moderate and fear being associated with terrorism after deadly attacks by Islamic radicals in January.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Several UMP members called the comments unacceptable. The conservative party said it plans to exclude him.
The party is led by former President Nicolas Sarkozy.