Bruno Retailleau’s statement sparks reactions within the centrist bloc

In an interview with the Journal du dimanche, the new Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, provoked strong reactions within the centrist bloc with his controversial comments. On Saturday 28 September, he asserted that ‘the rule of law is neither intangible nor sacred’, adding that this notion is based on democracy and the sovereign people, rather than on a rigid set of rules.

This statement sent shockwaves through members of the government, particularly those in the President’s camp, now allied with the Republicans (LR). The President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, expressed her concern on France 2, stressing that the rule of law is essential to protect our democracy. Elisabeth Borne, for her part, insisted on BFMTV that ‘now is not the time for divisive comments’.

To quell the controversy, a government source told H24 MEDIA that it was ‘out of the question to call into question even one centimetre of the rule of law, a fundamental pillar of our Republic.’ The source added that Retailleau’s comments were intended to encourage a debate on the development of the law, within the framework of Parliament’s prerogatives.

Divergent reactions within the majority

Mathieu Lefèvre, an MP from the President’s camp, also reacted on TF1, pointing out that Retailleau’s comments did not clearly reflect the recent aspirations of citizens. For his part, MoDem MP Erwan Balanant criticised the minister’s statement, saying that ‘democracy is constitutive of the rule of law and not the other way round’, and called on Michel Barnier to ‘reframe’ Retailleau. This reference recalls a similar situation in which Barnier reacted to Antoine Armand’s statements on the Rassemblement National.

Sacha Houlié, non-attached MP and representative of the left wing of the Macronie party, also expressed his disagreement on X, stressing that relativising the separation of powers would be problematic. He threatened, ahead of Michel Barnier’s general policy statement, that the executive’s failure to react could justify censure of the government.

Controversial measures ahead

As soon as he took office, Bruno Retailleau warned that he would consider using decrees to implement certain measures, particularly in the area of immigration. On LCI, he expressed his support for the idea of the double penalty, which would consist of the systematic deportation of convicted foreigners at the end of their sentence.

This controversy raises crucial questions about the balance between the authority of the State and respect for democratic principles. The debate is therefore far from over, and promises many discussions within the majority.