Less than 24 hours after taking office, Gérald Darmanin went to Amiens this Wednesday, December 25 to meet agents of the Ministry of Justice and salute their commitment on this Christmas Day.
During this trip, the new Minister of Justice reiterated his desire to strengthen judicial efficiency by emphasizing firmness, speed and increased resources.
No more detentions for minor sentences
During his visit to the Amiens judicial court, Gérald Darmanin announced his intention to create more places of detention, in particular for the execution of short sentences. He expressed the wish to see these sanctions applied systematically. “We must build establishments on a human scale,” he said, emphasizing that the construction of traditional prisons with watchtowers and barbed wire often represents a complex challenge.
The minister thus insisted on the need for a more adapted prison system, capable of responding effectively to short sentences. “The French are thirsty for justice,” said the former Minister of the Interior, highlighting citizen expectations in the face of justice perceived as too slow.
Strengthening staff and resources
Darmanin took advantage of this first official outing to point out the shortcomings in terms of judicial personnel. “The magistrates are the first to complain about the lack of clerks and magistrates,” he stressed. He announced that he would meet next Monday Amélie de Montchalin, new minister responsible for public accounts, to discuss additional budgetary appropriations in favor of justice.
“It will be time to adopt a new budget,” he declared, calling on his former parliamentary colleagues to show “reason”. Darmanin wants the increase in resources for justice to be taken into account in the 2025 budget.
Priorities for security and the fight against violence
Among the priority themes addressed, Darmanin placed the fight against violence, in particular that against women and children. He also insisted on the need to combat Islamic separatism, narco-banditry and drug trafficking. The minister has already planned a visit to Marseille next week to address these questions directly on the ground.
After his appearance in court, Darmanin went to the Liancourt penitentiary center to speak with the prison administration agents, thus recalling his attachment to the staff on the ground.
Worried unions
However, this nomination is not unanimous. Magistrates' unions have expressed their reservations regarding the arrival of Darmanin at Place Vendôme. They fear that this appointment marks a further decline in respect for the rule of law and judicial independence.
“As Minister of the Interior, he often weighed respect for procedures and the interest of the State,” recalled a union representative. The unions also criticize him for certain reforms and law enforcement policies which, according to them, have undermined public freedoms.
The future will tell whether this new direction will meet the expectations of the French while reassuring professionals in the judicial sector.
