The “citizen's march” called by the French police unions in memory of two murdered agents has become a full-fledged challenge to Justice. “The problem of the police is justice” thundered from the rostrum, in front of the National Assembly, the general secretary of the Alianza union, Fabien Vanhemelriyck. Shortly after, a hailstorm has dissolved the 35,000 congregants, according to figures from police unions.
On the rostrum, a black banner with the motto “paid to serve, not to die” recalled the origin of this atypical meeting. Initially it was going to be a tribute to the brigade Eric Masson, shot dead in an anti-drug operation in Avignon on May 5, and to police officer Stéphanie Monfermé, whose throat was cut in front of her police station in Rambouillet by a radicalized Tunisian two weeks earlier.
Added to these murders is the harassment suffered by police officers in suburban neighborhoods where cars are set on fire almost daily and law enforcement is greeted with fireworks (shot at them) and Molotov cocktails.
Political leaders of all parties, from the extreme right to the PCE, supported the concentration. All the barons of the classical right were seen at the meeting. The environmental leader and MEP Yannick Jadot participated in his personal capacity although his group did not support it. The socialist mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, attended. The first secretary of the socialists, Olivier Faure, declared that he was there “to express his solidarity with a profession”. “We want to reconcile the French with the police and not oppose police and justice”. They paid little attention to him.
One month before the regional elections and one year before the presidential elections, security is indicated as a priority issue by many voters. President Emmanuel Macron knows this very well, who in the reshuffle of the government last summer placed two ministers who in Spain would be considered right-wing. Macron is perceived as soft on these issues despite the fact that in recent months he has championed the fight against drugs, has reestablished police controls on the borders with Spain and Italy and whose government, led by Jean Castex, has tightened the legislation penal.
The prime minister has made a commitment to the police unions, whom he received a few days ago in his official office, to extend the minimum sentence for anyone sentenced to life for crimes against law enforcement from 22 to 30 years.
Thus we arrive at the paradox of today's demonstration at the Quai D'Orsay, between the Foreign Ministry and the seat of national sovereignty, the Assembly. The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, walked through the crowd, took selfies with whoever asked for it and said things as meringues as “Every night, when I go to bed, I think of you.”
The conveners had made it clear that politicians could come but that the speakers' rostrum was closed to them. They wanted to launch the political messages: “Minimum penalties for the aggressors. That is the loud and clear message we expect. A measure that is not unconstitutional, neither liberticidal nor nauseating,” said another union leader, Grégory Joron.
Interference in Justice
This demand for automatic minimum sentences is defended by the classic right. But the Minister of Justice, Éric Dupont Moretti, warned that Justice cannot treat a first-time offender the same as a criminal with multiple records. Speaking in the Assembly, he provided figures showing that the number of convictions and prison sentences have increased in recent years.
But he also stated that “justice deserves respect”. Outside Parliament he was the target of many attacks and one of the union leaders asked for a puff for him.
The nature of the police demonstration has disturbed the Magistracy Union (left) which issued a resounding statement: “The new horizon that our ministers and deputies draw by participating in this demonstration and thus associating themselves with the police demands is that of a society in which in which the police become an autonomous power instead of being a public force at the service of the citizens”.
Even more forceful was the leader of La Francia Insumisa, Jean Luc Mélenchon, who denounced “the ostensibly factious nature of the demonstration.”. “Trade unions and police organizations don't have to make the law,” he added.. He also recalled that during the protests of the yellow vests, 32 people lost a hand or an eye due to the actions of the forces of law and order. Mélenchon put his finger on the issue by pointing out that “the Minister of the Interior had demonstrated against the Minister of Justice.”
It is worth knowing that, according to an Ipsos poll published on Monday, 44% of military and police officers with rank say they will vote for Marine Le Pen in the first round. And 60% in the second round! The leader of the extreme right was this Wednesday campaigning in Bordeaux. She was represented by the number two of the party, Jordan Bardella.