French National Assembly Approves Labeling Muslim Brotherhood 'Terrorist Group'

CAIRO – 22 January 2026: The French National Assembly on Thursday approved a European proposal to include the Muslim Brotherhood and its leadership on the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations. The move is part of France's broader initiative to bolster national security and sovereignty while confronting separatist movements within Europe.

According to the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, the text was submitted by the Republican Right bloc. It reflects a push for legal recognition within the EU of the political ideology adopted by the Muslim Brotherhood, with the ultimate goal of curbing the group's political and social influence across the continent.

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Republican Right bloc, stated that the project is one in a series of security-focused measures aimed at protecting the fundamental functions and institutions of the French state.

Through this legislation, France seeks to eliminate the Muslim Brotherhood’s perceived infiltration within the country. The step aligns with similar international actions; countries such as Argentina have designated the group’s branches as terrorist organizations, and the United States has previously designated Brotherhood-affiliated entities in Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon as terrorist groups.

The French decision signals a firm stance by Paris regarding the organization’s political and security footprint in Europe. French political circles are closely monitoring the developments, as debate is expected to continue regarding the balance between protecting political freedoms and combating extremism.

On January 13, The Trump administration labeled three Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations, imposing sanctions on them and their members.

The Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood pose a risk to the United States and American interests, according to the Treasury and State departments.

"These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilization wherever it occurs," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. "The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism."