Vaccine-sceptic French lawmaker dies after contracting COVID-19

AFP / Christophe Archambault

French lawmaker Jose Evrard, whose vaccine-sceptic far-right party had opposed government measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, has died after contracting the coronavirus.

The president of the parliament said on Friday.

It was unclear whether Evrard, who was 76, had refused to be vaccinated himself. He had expressed support on social media for protesters against COVID-19 curbs and health measures.

"To his wife, his children, his relatives, as well as his colleagues and collaborators, I send my heartfelt thoughts," President of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand said on Twitter.

Representing the Pas-de-Calais region in Northern France, Evrard was one of three lawmakers affiliated with the far-right splinter party "Debout la France" (Stand up, France). Its founder Nicolas Dupont-Aignan is one of France's most prominent anti-vaccination activists.

In October, Evrard co-signed a parliamentary motion demanding that a committee of inquiry be set up to look into potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. 

More from International News

  • Trump set to make final decision on deal with Iran

    US President Donald Trump said he would make a final decision on Friday over a deal with Iran to extend their ceasefire that would need to include opening the Strait of Hormuz and dismantling Tehran's capacity to make a nuclear weapon.

  • Eight students arrested over deadly school fire in Kenya

    Kenyan authorities have arrested eight students on suspicion of arson over a fire at a girls' boarding school that killed 16 students, police said on Friday.

  • Israeli push to take more of Gaza raises alarm

    Hamas said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza was a dangerous escalation, as European states and residents of the Palestinian territory also voiced alarm at the plan.

  • NATO member Romania says Russian drone hit apartment block

    NATO accused Moscow on Friday of reckless behaviour and pledged to "defend every inch of Allied territory" after Romania said a Russian drone had crashed into an apartment block in the alliance member state during an attack on neighbouring Ukraine.

  • Vance says US not there yet on agreement with Iran, but close

    US Vice President JD Vance has told reporters on Thursday that Washington was "not there yet" with Iran on an agreement but that the parties were close, adding that the US was in a position where it could substantially set back Tehran's nuclear program.

News