an indictment of ministers still possible?

See my news
Follow Metropolitan

In the midst of managing the Covid-19 pandemic, France has been hit by a wave of complaints targeting the political management of this crisis. In July 2020, a judicial investigation opened against three leading figures: Édouard Philippe, then Prime Minister, as well as Agnès Buzyn and Olivier Véran, former Ministers of Health. The accusations range from endangering the lives of others to decisions deemed inappropriate in the face of the health emergency.

Among the plaintiffs, Sophia Ayache, former municipal councilor of Montpellier, testifies. During the municipal elections of March 2020, she contracted Covid-19 while running a polling station. Her father, whom she subsequently infects, succumbs to the disease. Today, she denounces a denial of reality in the face of a legal procedure which does not meet her expectations.

The CJR closes its investigation: towards a probable dismissal?

The Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) has completed its investigation. This jurisdiction judges ministers exclusively for acts committed in the exercise of their functions. Despite the scale of the accusations, no indictment has been issued to date. Since November 28, 2024, the CJR investigating committee considered the file to be complete. However, no final decision will be made before the second half of 2025. In the absence of indictment, observers expect a dismissal of the case. A decision which will not be communicated directly to the parties, in accordance with the specific rules of this jurisdiction.

At the same time, the Paris judicial court is continuing its investigation into the same facts, but from a common law perspective. Unlike the CJR, this jurisdiction is not intended to judge ministers solely in their functions. It also examines their possible individual responsibilities. Common law judges have access to all of the elements gathered. This information could be decisive in deciding on an indictment. Thus, although the case seems to be heading towards a dismissal, the judicial court could conclude differently. The procedure remains open. If the CJR seems to be moving towards a dismissal of the case, the Paris judicial court could therefore revive the dynamic by issuing indictments…

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.