MPs vote against facilitating expropriation procedures in Mayotte

The text provided for allowing, for a period of 10 years from its promulgation, "the immediate taking of possession" of land necessary for the construction of port and airport infrastructure.

The limitation to these specific infrastructures was introduced in committee, while the government wanted to extend it, for example, to prisons, health establishments, or even to water and electricity network installations.

"This article is seen as legalized plunder," denounced the RN MP for Mayotte, Anchya Bamana.

Overseas Minister Manuel Valls tried in vain to defend the measure.

"The State does not want to expropriate the Mahorais, to take away their land," but "to accelerate the construction of essential infrastructure in Mayotte," he assured.

"Identifying the true owner of a property in Mayotte often proves difficult" or even "impossible," he argued, a situation that can be explained in particular "by numerous historical and cultural factors."

"Afterwards you will tell us" that the progress of certain projects "is not going fast enough if we do not have this tool," he added.

An argument criticized by the deputy Liot of Mayotte, Estelle Youssouffa.

"We are being told here (...) (that) if you do not accept that your land be deprived by exemption, there will be no reconstruction. This is abject blackmail," she maintained.

"If the discussion on land had not been limited to: 'We see land disorder, solution, radical expropriation outside of common law,' it would have built a little trust," she added.

The abolition of the measure was notably supported by the National Rally and France Insoumise, against the votes of the Common Core and environmentalists.

The examination of the text continues on Friday, with around 400 amendments still under discussion.

A formal vote on the entire text is to be held on Tuesday.