In withdrawal since his police custody for a case of domestic violence, the director of the Paris Institute of Political Studies has returned to his position at the head of Sciences-po Paris.
Except that the affair does not go through.
Students have been blocking the Sciences-po Paris site and other campuses since Monday morning to protest against this return and demand his resignation.
“Two Sciences-po Paris sites are blocked by around fifty students, out of a total of 9,000 students,” indicated the management of the establishment, according to which the campuses of “Reims, Nancy, Poitiers, Le Havre are also blocked.
But the management affirms that “the courses are still provided remotely”.
In front of the entrance to the main building at 27, rue Saint-Guillaume in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, trash cans, barriers, bicycles and pallets were piled up by around thirty students present.
On the walls of the building, posters reading “Vicherat resignation” were pasted.
On a banner was written: “Protected professors, abandoned victims”, or even “Sciences-po, paradise of impunity”.
Blocking of Sciences Po by demanding the resignation of #Vicherat pic.twitter.com/nLowF20vER
— Tobias Sauer (@tobiassauer99) January 29, 2024
“We are here to protest against the end of the director's withdrawal period which only lasted during the holidays,” regretted Innées Fontenelle, from the Student Union.
Exceptional advice Tuesday noon
Mathias Vicherat and his ex-partner Anissa Bonnefont, who mutually accused each other of domestic violence, were taken into police custody on December 3 before being released the next day.
A preliminary investigation was ordered by the Paris prosecutor's office.
The director had proposed to withdraw on December 11.
In a message sent on that date to the entire school, Mathias Vicherat contested “the acts of violence which were reported by the press and social networks”.
He recalled that "no complaint" was filed following his and his partner's custody after these reciprocal accusations.
His return was recorded by the commission which brings together the offices of the various Sciences-po councils (board of directors, the institute, student life and training, scientific).
In a message addressed to students and staff, this commission considered that the detention of Mathias Vicherat “was damaging for Sciences-po and for all the people who work and study there”.
She “requested” that the director “be able to speak as soon as possible before the CA (board of directors) and CI (institute council) to present the measures he will implement in order to rebuild this trust ".
“When the preliminary investigation is closed, the director will appear before the two authorities (CA and CI), to find out if he still has their confidence,” the message continues.
“Until this date, the commission invites the director to take, in compliance with the education code, the necessary administrative measures to deal with issues related to VSS (sexual and gender-based violence),” indicates the message.
According to a close source, this means that “Mathias Vicherat will have to distance himself from subjects linked to VSS”.
An exceptional institute council is planned for Tuesday noon, as well as an exceptional board of directors Wednesday afternoon, according to consistent sources.