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🇫🇷 France /Elections & Politics

Le Pen blames politicians for child's death, targets justice minister

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally party, criticized the government's political responsibility in the death of an 11-year-old girl in the Gers region.
  • Le Pen specifically targeted Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, stating he should have resigned and that his judicial reforms contributed to the tragedy.
  • She also called for increased resources for the justice system and specialized units to protect child victims, arguing politicians are in denial about rising crime affecting children.

Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure in French politics, has sharply criticized the government's handling of justice and security following the death of 11-year-old Lyhanna in the Gers region. Speaking on France 3's "Dimanche en politique," Le Pen asserted that "the essential responsibility is that of the politician." She specifically called out Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, stating he "should have resigned" given the circumstances.

The essential responsibility is that of the politician.

— Marine Le PenMarine Le Pen speaking on France 3's "Dimanche en politique" about the death of Lyhanna.

Le Pen argued that Darmanin's reforms, particularly concerning judicial police, were a "catastrophe" and likely contributed to the tragic outcome. She believes the justice system requires a "great refoundation," emphasizing the need for "additional means." The National Rally leader countered President Macron's claims of sufficient resources, asserting that the "political class is in denial" about the surge in crime, especially its impact on children.

he would have had to resign.

— Marine Le PenMarine Le Pen stating that Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin should have resigned.

Expanding on her party's proposals, Le Pen reaffirmed support for doubling the number of magistrates to 20,000, a goal set by the RN in 2022. She also advocated for specialized prosecutor's offices and investigative services focused on child victims, not just child offenders. Le Pen echoed party president Jordan Bardella's sentiment that Darmanin should have at least offered his resignation, highlighting a broader public frustration that "no one is ever responsible for anything in politics anymore."

his reform on judicial police, which was a catastrophe, let's say it, and which very certainly has a share of responsibility in what happened.

— Marine Le PenMarine Le Pen criticizing Gérald Darmanin's reforms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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