The French National Assembly yesterday voted for a new law to ban the practice of members of parliament holding several elected positions at once.

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At the moment, MPs can hold as many political mandates as they want. The new law will come into force in 2017, ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

60 per cent of French MPs or Senators currently also hold other positions and many are mayors of large towns and cities.

Surveys show that most French people question whether they can be effective members of parliament while also holding such other positions

The reform was among President François Hollande's campaign promises.

Many MPs, including members of Hollande's socialist majority were initially against the reform but agreed to back it after the date of implementation was postponed.

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