Overview

• Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin claims that violence and drug use have 'metastasized,' affecting all regions of France, including rural towns.
• He proposes AI-based surveillance, such as facial recognition, to enhance public security, citing examples from Singapore and Dubai.
• Darmanin also suggests isolating the top 100 narcotraffickers to disrupt drug networks as part of his hardline anti-narcotics agenda.
• The Rassemblement National has criticized Darmanin, accusing him of hypocrisy given his prior role as Interior Minister and questioning his security track record.
• Darmanin’s statements and proposals come as he positions himself for a potential presidential bid in 2027, raising questions about his broader political ambitions.