Paris (AFP)
A minister "of dialogue" who does not "wage war against anyone" and who "will finally bring the reform of the prosecution" to guarantee the independence of Justice: the new Keeper of the Seals Eric Dupond-Moretti sent a message on Tuesday appeasement to the magistrates and outlined an ambitious program.
During his handover with Nicole Belloubet, the new minister insisted on "sending a benevolent message to the whole judicial family". "I do not make war on anyone," assured this thundering tenor of the bar, who during his career as a lawyer was often very critical of judges and the prosecution.
In a concise, program-like speech, Mr. Dupond-Moretti presented the main lines of his future policy.
"I want to move forward on a project that is close to my heart: the independence of the judiciary. I want to be the Keeper of the Seals who will finally bring the long-awaited parquet floor reform to a conference," said the former lawyer criminalist.
A major challenge: for years, the attachment of magistrates of the prosecution to the Chancellery has fueled criticism of an alleged lack of independence of the judiciary. But changing their status requires passing a constitutional revision, with the agreement of the National Assembly and the Senate, meeting in congress.
"My ministry will also be that of anti-racism and human rights", promised Mr. Dupond-Moretti, in the wake of recent debates on police violence and accusations of racism within the forces of the 'order.
The new Keeper of the Seals also stressed the "inhuman and degrading living conditions" of prisoners in France, while ensuring the prison administration of his "unwavering support". He reserves for them his "first visit" as minister, after the social movement of prison guards who marked Ms. Belloubet's mandate and will go in the afternoon to Fresnes prison (Val-de-Marne), according to a spokesperson for the Chancellery.
The Minister also mentioned without naming the controversial investigation of the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) in which several lawyers, including himself, were tapped. "I will ensure that the preliminary investigations remain preliminary and are not eternal," he said, as the investigation spanned six years.
Mr. Dupond-Moretti also announced that he wanted to reflect "on the presumption of innocence and the secrecy of the investigation", by associating "journalists" with it. "Justice does not go to the streets, nor on social networks, nor in the media," he said.
© 2020 AFP