Thibault de Montbrial, the lawyer and president of the Centre de réflexion sur la sécurité intérieure, has voiced serious concerns about the rising tide of violence and insecurity affecting educational spaces in France. During his recent appearance on CNEWS, Montbrial stated, "Aujourd'hui, autour d'un établissement scolaire, il y a trois menaces," emphasizing the multiple threats surrounding schools today.
Following the tragic murder of Louise, he described the current state of violence as unprecedented, asserting, "Il y a une explosion de violence dans notre pays qui ne date pas d'hier." His remarks reflect a growing unease with public safety, particularly among vulnerable young populations.
Montbrial characterized the matter as urgent, reflecting on how the challenges faced are deeply intertwined with issues surrounding immigration. He argued forcefully, "L'immigration est la mère des batailles," highlighting immigration as central to the current discourse on crime and public safety. He advocates for consistent scrutiny on the nature and causes of delinquencies, particularly how they relate to the demographic shifts caused by immigration patterns.
Addressing the broader narrative, Montbrial advocates for what he calls rational discourse concerning immigration, as opposed to emotionally charged debates. He warned against the idea of France's undisputed identity as historically welcoming to immigrants. "L'État-providence ne peut pas vivre avec la porte ouverte," he asserted, advocating for more controlled immigration policies. According to him, France currently accommodates about 25% of European immigration, which he notes is unsustainable.
Montbrial calls for the cessation of misleading narratives about France's immigration history, emphasizing the significant cultural shifts initiated since the mid-20th century. He remarked, "La France accueille un quart de l'immigration européenne. C'est hallucinant," drawing attention to the number of immigrants entering the country and arguing for more strategic policies rather than measures driven by ideology.
With the conversation surrounding immigration often becoming overly polarized, Montbrial highlighted the need to redirect the discussion, stating, "Le débat est hystérisé." He believes this hysteria complicates meaningful dialogue and prevents any constructive policymaking from occurring. He calls for citizens and leaders alike to approach the immigration topic from a standpoint of reason and necessity.
Echoing concerns about long-term consequences linked to immigration, he suggests, "Casser l'attractivité de notre pays" should be part of the governance agenda to realign immigration expectations and impacts on French society and its safety.
These insights elucidated by Thibault de Montbrial provide not only alarming statistics about rising violence but also highlight the complex intersection of immigration and public security. His call to action frames the narrative surrounding these challenges toward advocating for structured immigration policies and informed discussions across political and cultural divides.