Prime Minister Manuel Valls has upset political rivals and historians by invoking
the symbol of the French republic, Marianne, in the row over "burkini" beach bans.
"Her breast's exposed because she's feeding the people;
she isn't wearing a veil because she's free,"
![[Image: _90968572_gettyimages-587915978-1.jpg]](http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/936/cpsprodpb/6BC2/production/_90968572_gettyimages-587915978-1.jpg)
the symbol of the French republic, Marianne, in the row over "burkini" beach bans.
"Her breast's exposed because she's feeding the people;
she isn't wearing a veil because she's free,"
![[Image: _90967341_e1d0d3e7-2ea6-4094-b8d9-0a148bf52948.jpg]](http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3828/production/_90967341_e1d0d3e7-2ea6-4094-b8d9-0a148bf52948.jpg)
![[Image: _90967345_33a62c7e-8eae-4319-a066-04389f74fecf.jpg]](http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/D468/production/_90967345_33a62c7e-8eae-4319-a066-04389f74fecf.jpg)