Olympic bonuses, immigration, insecurity… At the Ministry of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau has his work cut out for him

On the desk of Bruno Retailleau, the new Minister of the Interior, there is no shortage of files. Gérald Darmanin’s successor will have to arbitrate, in the coming weeks, burning issues. Starting with the 2025 budget, the crux of the matter for Place Beauvau.

A showdown is also beginning to take shape with Bercy, because the police are demanding an increase in the budget allocated to the Ministry of the Interior. The red line that should not be crossed, warns a union representative, would be for the officers not to receive their Olympic bonuses by the end of the year. However, rumours suggest that they could be paid next year. “There is no question of making savings on security,” says a police officer.

Intense negotiations between Beauvau and the Élysée

Another topic at the top of the pile: immigration. Will Bruno Retailleau set a clear course? Will he cut off the migratory airflow by limiting family reunification or reducing care for illegal immigrants present in the territory? The new minister is also expected to combat insecurity – in particular violence on public roads – refusals to comply and attacks on property. So many acts of daily delinquency that weigh down the image of a safe and secure France. The first decisions are expected in the next few hours.

Finally, while the directors general of the police and the gendarmerie are saying goodbye to arms this week, the choice of their replacements will be the subject of intense negotiations between Beauvau and the Élysée. And will be a revealing indicator of the balance of power between Emmanuel Macron and his Prime Minister.