PARIS – France's interior minister says people of Roma origin have a lifestyle that is in "confrontation" with that of the French, and that they should return to Romania or Bulgaria.
Manuel Valls also defended the French government's policy of dismantling the camps of the Roma, who are also known as Gypsies, and expelling them. Critics say the policy is racist.
France has more than 20,000 Roma — most with origins in Bulgaria and Romania. Valls said Tuesday that many live in "veritable slums," and few could integrate into French society.
He told France Inter radio that "these populations have very different lifestyles from ours."
On Jan. 1, Romania and Bulgaria are to enter Europe's Schengen zone, which allows passport-free travel. France has been pushing to keep them from obtaining full access.
