Thirty-one deputies voted against the initiative promoted by almost 60 parliamentarians, while 17 supported it, a decision widely covered by the media.

The presidential candidates Jean-Luc Mélenchon (La France Insoumise) and Fabien Roussel (Communist Party) supported the demand of asylum for Assange, who has been locked up in a maximum security prison in the United Kingdom for the last three years.

According to one of the promoters of the motion, Congresswoman Jennifer de Temmerman, the proposal sought to give a voice to those who do not have one, since it also contained the request to facilitate refugee status for foreigners persecuted for reporting crimes.

Assange is wanted by the United States justice, where he would face up to 175 years in prison if finally extradited, after he disclosed secret documents revealing to the world the crimes committed by US forces during the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.

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