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Story summary
- The French National Assembly will vote on Thursday, 2026, to repeal the 1685 Code Noir slave code.
- Guadeloupe deputy Max Mathiasin, a descendant of enslaved ancestors, uncovered the code’s existence, pushed the repeal, and prompted President Emmanuel Macron to call it necessary without apologizing.
- Director Pierre-Yves Bocquet warned the repeal will not curb racism and noted opposition lawmakers questioned Macron’s commitment, while unemployment in overseas departments remains double mainland rate.
