Jean Castex and members of the government in the Assembly.
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Louise MERESSE / SIPA
Under pressure from public opinion and the opposition since the Conflans attack, the government is promising "acts" against Islamism.
In the media, the ministers multiply the proposals, while a bill against “separatism” is already in the pipeline.
These multiple interventions have led to some confusion, in particular on the question of the anonymity of social networks.
“Today is the time for action!
"A few days after the beheading of Samuel Paty, Jean Castex defended the activity of the government in the fight against" radical Islam ", Tuesday at the National Assembly.
And since Friday, the executive is on all fronts.
“It is not a question of making new declarations […], these are acts which are expected by our fellow citizens.
These acts will intensify ”, again promised Emmanuel Macron on the eve of the national tribute to the professor on Wednesday.
Under pressure since the Conflans attack, the government is in a delicate position, while a bill against “separatism” is already in the pipeline.
The text, unveiled by Emmanuel Macron in early October, will be presented to the Council of Ministers on December 9.
"The government is moving forward to strengthen the actions already undertaken for three years, each in its area of competence," said the Elysee.
Darmanin of all fights
On the front line, Gérald Darmanin, who announced the closure of the Pantin mosque on Monday evening and his desire to dissolve several associations, including the CCIF.
The Minister of the Interior also ordered the expulsion of "231 people in an irregular situation and followed on suspicion of radicalization".
A measure in reality already announced at the beginning of October, which also risks encountering legal difficulties.
I don't have a word to say about myself.
Not one.
Yes, capitalism also has a responsibility in society, not everything can be the object of money.
Thank you for listening to my words in full.
They are eminently Republicans.
https://t.co/CJNRF86Y5h
- Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) October 21, 2020
The former mayor of Tourcoing, who also assumed to launch police operations unrelated to the investigation into the beheading "to convey a message", multiplies the statements.
Tuesday evening, on BFMTV, he said he was “shocked” by the “community” shelves of certain supermarkets offering halal or kosher food in particular.
Comments criticized by the president of the Leclerc group, Michel-Edouard Leclerc, but also by Richard Ferrand.
"Me, that does not shock me, when I do my shopping, I go to the Breton products department, because I am Breton", reacted the President of the National Assembly.
A member of the majority laments: "I am not sure that the priority of the government is these stories of rays ..."
Cacophony around anonymity on social networks
Another front opened by Gerald Darmanin and the Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer: “The anonymity of social networks” which, according to them, would have facilitated the passage to the act of Abdoullakh Anzorov.
This question, which regularly agitates the political class, was however swept aside… by another member of the government.
“The issue of online anonymity is a very bad fight,” replied Cédric O in a note published on his Medium page.
The Secretary of State for Digital Transition confides in passing that the Avia law, which some walkers want a return to, “would probably not have made it possible to avoid the tragedy”.
Jean Castex pleaded for his part for the creation of an offense of "endangering the publication of personal data" on the Internet.
But several specialists have indicated that such an offense already existed in the penal code since 2002, although it does not specifically concern social networks.
“We want to be able to repress content that can endanger the safety of a person, we defend at Matignon.
For example, to say that Samuel Paty gives lessons in such and such a place is not personal data, but it puts him in danger.
The Chancellery is currently working so that this measure is integrated into the bill against separatism, specifies the entourage of the Prime Minister.
Uncertainties around the Secularism Observatory
The Observatory of Secularism and its leaders, Jean-Louis Bianco and Nicolas Cadène, are also targeted by the executive after the attack.
The Prime Minister said he wanted to "renew" the public institution, without specifying the fate of the two men.
This decision, and the timing - the announcement comes four days after Samuel Paty's beheading - did not please a majority party.
"I understand that society is deeply shocked but that should not lead us to put our entire institutional edifice in the attic", defended on Tuesday the deputy for Vienna Sacha Houlié, who called "for reason, collective intelligence, and moderation ”.
More generally, Erwan Balanant warns: "We must always be careful not to sink into the escalation of proposals, which could be posters or have no effect," said the deputy MoDem from Finistère.
And to add: "The law against separatism is important, but we must not rush.
Our agenda should not be dictated by terrorists.
"A desire to delay also displayed on the side of Matignon:" It is normal to have a delay before our announcements.
We will not find answers to the events of Conflans in 48 hours.
"
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