Gérald Darmanin has officially stepped back onto the political stage, recently appointed as France's new Minister of Justice, bringing forth ambitious plans aimed at reforming the country's judicial system. Following his swearing-in, Darmanin articulated his immediate priorities during his first visit to the Amiens judicial court on December 25, underscoring the need for increased resources to facilitate a "faster" and more "firm" justice system.
During his speech, Darmanin addressed the chronic slow pace of legal proceedings, asserting, "What we want is more speed, more firmness. You can't accomplish this with constant resources." His declaration stresses urgency, particularly as he seeks to secure additional funding for enhancements within the ministry.
Budgetary constraints pose significant challenges for Darmanin, who acknowledged the difficulties of acquiring increased funding amid national economic pressures. He noted, "We will be reasonable, taking national financial constraints fully onboard, but we must increase the Ministry of Justice's budget." Previously, the budget for the ministry was set at €10.1 billion, reflecting a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year.
With France's overcrowded prisons, Darmanin highlighted another core initiative: to "clean up" the prison system which currently houses over 80,000 inmates. "We must make prisons no longer places for the reproduction of crime," he stated, aiming to transform them to be more accommodating of individuals serving short sentences.
Traditionally, many individuals sentenced to less than two years are monitored via electronic bracelets due to insufficient prison space. Darmanin's plans include building new, smaller facilities, which he believes could ameliorate the existing crisis. His vision for new prisons pivots away from conventional designs, stating, "We don't necessarily need prisons with watchtowers and barbed wire; what we desire are human-scale facilities."
These declarations illuminate the extent of the issue, as current standards reveal prisons at 128.5% capacity. Many stakeholders, including union representatives, have lambasted existing conditions, asserting they compromise both the dignity of inmates and the safety of prison staff.
On the legislative agenda, Darmanin expressed priorities including addressing drug trafficking. Reaffirming the sentiments echoed during his previous tenure as Minister of the Interior, he deemed the fight against narcotraffic "the top priority" of his new role. This aligns with plans announced prior to his appointment, intending to create specialized prosecutorial units for anti-narcotics efforts.
The reforms articulated by Darmanin extend beyond prisons; he also emphasized the need for judicial reforms aimed at reducing procedure delays. Presently, criminal cases can take as long as 50 months from the start of investigation to sentencing. To aid his endeavors, he has proposed hiring additional staff, anticipating the recruitment of 1,500 new judges and 1,800 clerks.
Yet, uncertainties linger around the execution of these proposals, as the average training period for new magistrates is about two and half years, posing delays on immediate corrective actions.
Critically, Darmanin's appointment raises eyebrows, particularly pertaining to his contentious relationship with the judiciary during his prior role. Henri Guaino, former adviser and political analyst, expressed concern about the potential messages sent to magistrates, describing it as "a form of provocation" underlining historical tensions related to Darmanin’s past interactions with the legal system.
"This doesn't symbolize appeasement but raises questions about the minister's qualifications to genuinely address judicial reform," Guaino remarked, reflecting broader concerns within legal circles over Darmanin’s approach.
Despite these inherent challenges, the new minister is moving forward with his agenda, adamant about establishing reforms across France's judicial sector. Following this dynamic start, Darmanin is expected to elaborate on his strategies during upcoming discussions and interviews, allowing the public and magistrates to gauge his commitment to transforming the justice system.
Darmanin's initial efforts represent both optimism and skepticism from various factions, indicating he's well aware of the scrutiny his ambitious measures will attract. With the eyes of public opinion on him, he has laid out his commitment to "cleaning up" both the system's operational hurdles and prison conditions, moving forward as he attempts to bridge gaps and fulfill the demands of his new office.
