Gérald Darmanin - President Macron's 'risky gamble'

Macron's "iron fist"

The new security bill is seen as a tough move byFrench President Emmanuel MacronThe bill was meant to “fight radical Islam,” especially after France has seen a series of shocking attacks by suspected Islamist extremists. But protesters see it as a way to increase police power and erode liberal values. They have taken to the streets to demand the withdrawal of controversial provisions, including one that criminalizes the publication of images of police officers on duty.

Gérald Darmanin - one of the youngest ministers in President Emmanuel Macron's Cabinet. Photo: AFP

Protestersoppose the viewof the government, the views of President Emmanuel Macron, but their marches have a much more specific target: the Beauvau Palace - a stately building right next to the presidential palace. This is the place reserved for French interior ministers and its current occupant is Gérald Darmanin - a young and extremely hard-line figure in President Macron's cabinet, ready to confront the protests to defend the new security bill.

As Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin was a fierce defender of the country's police force, especially during controversies surrounding police brutality against protesters and police racism.

Regarded as the “iron fist” of the government’s security apparatus, Gérald Darmanin has played a key role in how the recent protests have been handled, cracking down hard when they have turned violent. During last weekend’s protests, when police arrested 142 protesters, Gérald Darmanin bluntly called them “thugs who have come to cause violence.”

French police use water cannons to control crowds during a protest on December 12. Photo: Reuters

Unexpected choice

Those who know Gérald Darmanin say that toughness and determination are qualities he has shown since the beginning of his political career, and that they have helped him rise quickly to become one of President Emmanuel Macron's youngest ministers. Gérald Darmanin was born in 1982 into a working-class family in the town of Valenciennes, northern France. Since the age of 16, he joined the Rally for the Republic (RPR) party of the late President Jacques Chirac.

After joining the party, Gérald Darmanin was always very conscious of building an image for his political career. His profile was always carefully prepared, always emphasizing his working-class background - which he considered a strength to demonstrate the motivation and fighting spirit when pursuing the goals of a politician. The young Gérald Darmanin was quickly noticed by party heavyweights - who advised Darmanin to leave Paris to build his political career.

It was in the north that Gérald Darmanin achieved his first political successes, when he unexpectedly won the election as Mayor of the town of Tourcoing. In 2012, after a period as Chief of Staff of the French Ministry of Sports, he was elected to the French National Assembly and became one of the youngest members of parliament in France.

Gérald Darmanin ran the primary campaign ofFormer President Nicolas Sarkozybefore joining President Emmanuel Macron's cabinet in 2017 as Budget Minister. Gérald Darmanin himself was very surprised when he was chosen by Mr. Macron, because during the previous election campaign, Gérald Darmanin had harshly criticized Mr. Macron's liberalism.

Gérald Darmanin is facing harsh criticism for the way he cracked down on protesters. Photo: Euronews

In an article, Gérald Darmanin even said that “Macron’s election campaign will be the final poison that pushes France into institutional instability, leading to the collapse of French political life.” But for those who are knowledgeable about politics, President Macron’s choice, although surprising, is clearly calculated. That is, turning Gérald Darmanin into an important weapon to consolidate the right-wing group in the French electorate, balancing his position as a left-wing President.

Political risk

At a time when France is reeling from protests against racism and police brutality, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gérald Darmanin to a crucial position as Interior Minister, replacing his predecessor Christophe Castaner. With the controversy surrounding the new security bill still ongoing, many believe that President Emmanuel Macron is putting himself at risk by giving Darmanin such a sensitive job.

Gérald Darmanin's unapologetic style and hard line have upset some members of the government. According to them, the way Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has handledwave of protestsThe current scandal is putting France in an unwanted international spotlight, while damaging President Macron’s image as a champion of European freedom. Those who dislike Gérald Darmanin question whether Macron is wise to bet his political future on a man who has supported a ban on young girls wearing veils, criticized supermarkets for having separate aisles for Muslim foods, and opposed gay marriage.

With many strong views, Gérald Darmanin is considered by some to be a “political boxer”, with the ability to “strike hard” but also to receive “counterattacks” at an equally high level. And of course, not only Gérald Darmanin receives those “counterattacks”, but President Emmanuel Macron can also become a victim.

Gérald Darmanin is considered a “risky gamble” by President Macron. Photo: Daily Express

In addition to Gérald Darmanin's hard-line political views, many people also believe that the political risk for President Macron also comes from the great ambition of this young Minister of the Interior. Since his youth, Gérald Darmanin has shown himself to be an ambitious person, and he has never hidden his dream of becoming the leader of France within the next decade.

At 38, Gérald Darmanin's rapid rise is said to be similar to that of former President Nicola Sarkozy, and Gérald Darmanin's current position as Interior Minister is also the position that Mr. Sarkozy held before becoming President of France. Analysts say that President Macron is currently trying to "tame" Gérald Darmanin and use him in a pragmatic way. However, this is a risky gamble, affecting not only his image but also Mr. Macron's political future.