France is one step closer to being able to revoke French citizenship from people convicted of terrorism.
The controversial change to the constitution received the backing of the lower house of parliament on Wednesday by 317 to 199.
Prime Minister François Hollande (pictured) proposed the change after Islamic terrorists killed 130 people in Paris last November after having attacked the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket in January the same year.
The package must now be approved by the upper house as well as receiving three-fifths approval by the Congress, the body formed by both houses coming together to debate changes to the constitution.
The change has its critics who argue that international law holds that governments may not make citizens stateless. Some believe the move is too extreme.
The proposal also prompted the resignation of the country’s justice minister last month and has divided Hollande’s socialist party.
Another proposed measure would grant greater powers to security forces, which already stand accused of abusing their additional powers under the existing state of emergency.
France is in the process of extending the emergency until the end of May.
A number of former politicians and leaders have spoken out against the changes, but the government insists they are necessary as the threat to France remains high.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Tuesday the terrorist threat was "without doubt more serious than before November 13".
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, saying it was in response to French air strikes against the group in Iraq and Syria.
