The transfer of powers between Christophe Castaner and Gérald Darmanin and the Council of Ministers were disrupted on Tuesday by punch actions organized by feminist activists. They massively denounced the appointment of Gérald Darmanin to the Ministry of the Interior, despite the rape complaint hanging over him, but also the designation of Eric Dupond-Moretti, pinned for having criticized the fact that "whistling a woman "in the street" becomes a criminal offense ". Europe 1 returns to this first controversy for the new government of Jean Castex.
A symbolic "burial" of gender equality
"Darmanin rapist, accomplice state!" The scene took place Tuesday near the gates of the Hôtel de Beauvau, a few minutes before the arrival of Gérald Darmanin for the handover. Mask on the face, around twenty feminist activists, who answered a spontaneous call on social networks, were repulsed by the police. Same scenario in front of the Élysée at the entrance of the Council of Ministers. Femen cross the security barriers, shouting "sexist reshuffle, extremist response".
Place de la Madeleine, denouncing a "shame reshuffle", around fifty activists from the #Noustoutes collective, dressed in black, they proceeded to the symbolic burial of equality between women and men, decreed "great cause of the quinquennium" by the executive. "Two men who played the role of Darmanin and Dupond-Moretti laid a coffin which represents this 'great cause of the quinquennium', and women came to lay roses on the coffin," explains one of the activists present on the spot .
In their viewfinder, Gérald Darmanin, still targeted by a judicial report for rape, in the context of which the Paris Court of Appeal requested the resumption of the investigation last month, but also Éric Dupond-Moretti, appointed Guard of the seals, Minister of Justice. "An interior rapist, an accomplice to justice", they also chanted. They blame Éric Dupond-Moretti for "a lack of interest and attacks" against statements made by women victims of violence.
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Government Defends Ministers
If the entourage of the head of state said Monday evening that the rape complaint against the new interior minister did not represent an obstacle to his promotion, the government is also stepping up to defend Gérald Darmanin . On Tuesday, the new government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, swept the issue. "I don't think the government is raising the cause of gender equality any lower," he said.
After the rally in front of the Madeleine, white and red roses were placed in front of the coffin overhung by a giant black eagle on which was inscribed the name of the new minister. "The rape culture is on the move," chanted the activists.