22/11/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 22 November, the European Parliament lifted the parliamentary immunity of the French MEP Jean-François Jalkh (ENL), the First Vice President of the Front national, at the request of the French judiciary. The latter wishes to pursue the MEP for having approved the (‘Petit guide pratique de l'élu municipal Front national’ – Short Practical Guide for Front national Municipal Representatives). This guide advocates national preference in the allocation of social housing. Mr Jalkh was at that time director of publications for the Front national. The EP has indicated that he was not an MEP when the supposed offence was committed. At the end of October, MEPs lifted the immunity of Jean-Marie Le Pen, so that he could be taken to court in France for inciting racial hatred and ideas involving the singer Patrick Bruel (see EUROPE 11654). (LC)