Nicolas Sarkozy and Gérald Darmanin in January 2015. -

PHILIPPE HUGUEN / AFP

"A testimony in your favor?

Ask for the Minister of the Interior!

"The Syndicat de la magistrature denounced this Friday, in the name of the principle of separation of powers, the support shown by the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin to former President Nicolas Sarkozy, including the trial for corruption and influence peddling ended Thursday in Paris.

"Nicolas Sarkozy has just been issued a moral certificate of weight: that of the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin", writes the union in a press release.

Asked about France Info Thursday morning, Gerald Darmanin gave his "personal support" to Nicolas Sarkozy against whom he was required four years in prison, two of which closed in the so-called "eavesdropping" affair, assuring "believing" the former head of state, an "honest man".

"I have very often Nicolas Sarkozy on the phone (...) I received him for a breakfast recently", argued Gérald Darmanin, before bringing his "personal support, affection and respect" to the former president whom he considers his mentor.

A testimony in your favor?

Ask for the Minister of the Interior!



Our press release following the support given yesterday by Gérald Darmanin to Nicolas Sarkozy pic.twitter.com/VoPhCXXDt6

- SMagistrature (@SMagistrature) December 11, 2020

Prohibition on giving an opinion on a pending court case

"He is a man who has served the Republic a lot," he said.

"But beware, the minister is a scrupulous man," joked the Syndicate of the judiciary (classified on the left) in its press release.

"He is" too respectful "of the institutions of justice to" pass judgment "on the trial," continues the union, repeating the words of the minister.

“Friendship is a fundamental value.

More fundamental, obviously, than equality before the law, the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers, which prohibit the ministers in office - and particularly the Minister of the Interior directing the action of the police - to give their opinion on an ongoing legal case, ”he added.

  • Trial

  • Gerald Darmanin

  • Nicolas sarkozy

  • Justice

  • Judicial Union