The 68-year-old magistrate appears to be best placed to occupy the post of Minister of Justice if the National Rally were to win the early legislative elections on July 7.
Jean-Paul Garraud Keeper of the Seals of a National Rally (RN) government? While the RN is currently leading the polls ahead of the early legislative elections on June 30 and July 7, the question of the composition of a hypothetical Jordan Bardella government arises. In the event of the party’s victory in the legislative vote and the formation of an RN government, the designation of MEP Jean-Paul Garraud as Minister of Justice is one of the avenues discussed within the political party, according to information from Provence.
This 68-year-old magistrate, previously a member of the RPR then the UMP, was elected MEP in 2019 on Jordan Bardella’s list. Nine years earlier, he had founded La Droite populaire, a movement representing the right wing within the UMP and then the Republicans. In this movement, we found in particular Thierry Mariani, who has also moved to the RN since. A graduate of the National School of Magistracy, Jean-Paul Garraud is one of the figures who contributed to the “demonization” of the RN initiated by Marine Le Pen. On June 9, he was re-elected to his post as MEP during the European elections, still on Jordan Bardella’s list. Prerogatives which make him a serious candidate for this very important portfolio.
Controversial positions
As early as 2020, Marine Le Pen cited him as a potential Minister of Justice if she became President of the Republic. While recent rumors indicate his possible appointment to this ministry in the event of a victory for the RN in the legislative elections, what have been his previous positions, particularly in matters of justice? During his terms in the National Assembly, Jean-Paul Garraud was rapporteur for a law on criminal recidivism, but also for a text on the prohibition of hiding the face in public spaces.
In 2003, an amendment of which he was the author sparked controversy. This amendment, which was finally withdrawn by the executive, provided for punishing with one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros an interruption of pregnancy resulting from “clumsiness, imprudence, inattention, negligence or a breach of a security obligation. Today, Jean-Paul Garraud says he is particularly in favor of leaving the European Court of Human Rights, which according to him leads “a judicial policy very favorable to terrorists”.