Paris - France's conservative opposition yesterday denounced government legislation to boost rights for couples living out of wedlock, saying promoters of the bill were riding rough-shod over French society.
The so-called "civil solidarity pact" (PACS) goes before the National Assembly next Friday.
"I say that all those who are drawing fresh lines in the sand . . . are looking to Stalinise French society," said Mr Francois Fillon, the spokesman for President Jacques Chirac's RPR party.