Gérald Darmanin in the Interior, the bet of Emmanuel Macron

Gérald Darmanin, the new Minister of the Interior. Here at the Élysée on January 24, 2020, when he was Minister of Public Accounts. REUTERS / Charles Platiau

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Gérald Darmanin leaves the Public Accounts for the Interior, where he replaces Christophe Castaner. It is one of the main announcements of the new French government presented on Monday. He who is also the mayor of Tourcoing will notably have to take up the burning dossier of police violence.

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37 years old, it is extremely young for a Minister of the Interior and it is besides the post that Gérald Darmanin coveted. So he got what he wanted. Until the last moment an uncertainty remained on the name of the Minister of the Interior: there was talk of Jean-Michel Blanquer or Gérald Darmanin. The latter was said to have the preference of Prime Minister Jean Castex, but not necessarily that of the President.

It must be said that Jean Castex and Gérald Darmanin come from the same political family, namely, Les Républicains. By appointing Gérald Darmanin, a close friend of Nicolas Sarkozy Minister of the Interior, Emmanuel Macron therefore had to ensure his full loyalty to La République en Marche. Because Minister of the Interior, it is of course the police, but also cults and the electoral map, and electoral reform could also see the light of day before the next legislative elections. It is therefore a key position.

And then of course it is Gérald Darmanin who will be responsible for managing the burning file of violence and racism in the police . Gérald Darmanin who should play on a stronger line of authority than that of Christophe Castaner .

On a visit to a police station in La Courneuve on Sunday, Prime Minister Jean Castex also assured the police that they could count on the government's support and unfailing recognition. Of which act for Gérald Darmanin.

Reaction to this appointment by Thierry Clair, from UNSA Police:

What is expected of the Minister of the Interior in any case are words and acts of support. The police experienced difficult times: in 2015, in relation to the terrorist acts, then with the yellow vests, the denigration which our colleagues have been subjected to for several weeks. [...] This very important smear campaign was very badly lived by our colleagues - there is an anger of all the police officers -, it must be stopped

Thierry Clair (UNSA Police)

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  • France
  • French politics
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Jean Castex
  • Gérald Darmanin

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