France's new prime minister seeks state of emergency extension
Cazeneuve, formerly interior minister and now prime minister, said Saturday his cabinet would ask parliament to approve an extension of the country's state of emergency until July 15 to allow a newly elected French president to assess the nation's security situation.
Incumbent President Francois Hollande last week said he would stand aside. Last Tuesday, Manuel Valls resigned as prime minister to seek the Socialist nomination for president.
By law, exceptional measures expire 15 days after a government changes. France's lower chamber is to debate the request on Tuesday, while the Senate will take up the measure on Thursday.
'Absolutely necessary'
Emerging from an extraordinary cabinet meeting Saturday, Cazeneuve (pictured above) said an extension was "absolutely necessary" to protect the nation against "those who want to strike at the heart of our democratic values and republican principles."
The state of emergency must apply to all electoral operations, he added, covering France's presidential elections starting in April with a run-off likely in May and legislative polls in June.
http://www.dw.com/en/frances-new-prime-minister-seeks-state-of-emergency-extension/a-36720149