France’s ruling party considers the power and influence of the French Armenian community prior to elections, according to the director of the Kyev-based Center for Political and Conflict Studies.

As Mikhail Pogrebinsky told Analitika.at.ua, France does not fear deterioration of ties with Turkey due to being the leading force in Europe that strongly opposes the idea of Turkish admission to the EU.

The bill penalizing genocide denial is expected to take effect in France within two weeks, after it will be signed by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill with 127 votes for and 86 against.

On December 22, 2011, it was adopted by the French National Assembly. The bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.