'We're not Hungary,' Macron says, rejecting 'illiberal' accusations


FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he gives a speech on health research at the Necker Hospital in Paris, France December 4, 2020. Thomas Samson/Pool via REUTERS

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday rejected accusations his government had taken an illiberal turn with a contested bill to protect police officers and a crackdown on Islamist groups.

The bill, which would have curbed the freedom to share images identifying police officers, a key plank in Macron's plans to court right-wing voters by being tougher on law and order, had sparked outrage among journalists.

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