“The rule of law is not intangible or sacred. » Bruno Retailleau’s statements to JDD on September 29, 2024, continue to be debated.
“The source of the rule of law is democracy, it is the sovereign people”, had affirmed the strong man of the Barnier government, calling for an evolution of “the legal arsenal”, in reaction to the murder of Philippine, a student, in Paris, and the arrest of a suspect under an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF).
Criticized on the left and even within Emmanuel Macron’s camp, notably by the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, the new Minister of the Interior was called to order by the highest magistrate of France, this Tuesday.
General policy declaration from Michel Barnier: follow our political direct from Tuesday October 1, 2024
Rémy Heitz defends “fundamental principles”
“If there is something that should be intangible and sacred, it is precisely the rule of law, hammered Rémy Heitz, attorney general at the Court of Cassation, at the microphone of franceinfo . These are the rules which are the basis of our democracy, essential rules, which are a guarantee for all of us, with principles which are completely fundamental. The separation of powers, the equality of citizens before the law. »
“The rule of law with a capital E is fundamental, which does not mean that we cannot change the law, said Rémy Heitz. We can change the state of the law with a small e, but we must not touch the rule of law, and we must even strengthen it. »
Bruno Retailleau clarifies his remarks
In a press release released a few hours before Michel Barnier’s general policy declaration, Bruno Retailleau clarified his remarks.
“The subject of the protection and security of the French is too serious and too serious to be exploited by false debates”, deplores the tenant of Place Beauvau, who asks to “face reality”, believing that “the law does not sufficiently protect the French”.
The new interior minister admits “that there can be no democracy without the rule of law”, but judges that “when the texts in force no longer guarantee all rights – starting with the first of them, the right to be protected – they must evolve, in full respect of the institutions of our Republic”.
