It is the government's turn to react with indignation to Bruno Retailleau's comments on freedom of expression.
Invited on RTL Tuesday evening, the president of the group Les Républicains (LR) in the Senate called for caution regarding the dissemination of cartoons, nearly two weeks after the terrorist assassination of a teacher in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine (Yvelines ).
“
I am for a form of respect.
Yes to the caricature in the press, but this generalization, let us also pay attention to it
”, he declared, while calling not to yield anything“
on our French spirit, which is a spirit of irony, of humor. .
A controversy immediately swelled on social networks, before moving in the chamber of the Senate on Wednesday.
The Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin, thus challenged the president of the LR group - not hesitating to shorten his remarks the day before.
To read also: Bruno Retailleau: "Islamo-fascism is also the product of a political Munich"
"
What is needed (...) is to be firm on our principles, to be firm on freedom of expression
", first declared the minister in response to a question relating to radicalized foreigners in situation. irregular.
Before continuing: “
When I hear the president of your group on RTL say - I quote Mr. Retailleau, who gives lessons in firmness all the time - '
yes to caricature but with a form of respect',
no Mr. President Retailleau!
Freedom of expression, it is total.
Even when it gets in the way.
It concerns all religions.
(...) And yes, you should withdraw your comments.
Because I believe that it is with words like these that we do not encourage the President of the Republic and the government to be firm as we have been since this morning.
"
"We will judge the government and Mr. Darmanin in action"
Questioned without being able to answer directly in the hemicycle, the senator reacted a few minutes later at the microphone of Public Senate.
Brushing aside any intention to withdraw his remarks, Bruno Retailleau angrily denounced the “
lies uttered
” by the Minister of the Interior.
"
There are enough that Mr. Darmanin, when he feels called into question (...) attacks the opposition.
He was the one who proposed a Concordat with Islam a few years ago, that is to say a penknife to the separation law of 1905. It is by his inaction that he tries to hide that he comes to attack his political opponents
, ”he replied.
“
Mr. Darmanin said in front of the senators that Mr. Abad had tackled me.
This is absolutely false,
”the Republican said.
And to conclude: "
What the French are asking is not to question the opposition (...), it is actions.
And we will judge the government and Mr. Darmanin in action.
And not to his statements which are sometimes false.
"
