Nicolas Sarkozy, whose speech is rare, spoke at length on burning current issues, during two interviews of around thirty minutes, first with Sonia Mabrouk, then with Pascal Praud. At the heart of his declarations, the former President of the Republic shared his “ fear and anger » faced with the murder of Philippine, a 19-year-old young woman killed by an individual under obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). “ She should never have met this person “, he declared, pointing to a triple “ political, administrative and judicial error ».
Criticizing part of the left, he said “shocked” by those who denounce the “political recovery” while being, according to him, “the first to recover during the incidents with the Traoré family or in the Nahel Merzouk affair”. Asked about the removal of minimum sentences, which the current Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud, had fought, Sarkozy defended their effectiveness: “It’s their right to vote against it. But they cannot then complain about the situation in the country. These sentences specifically targeted profiles like that of the individual who killed Philippine. » Established in 2007 during his mandate, these penalties set a minimum sanction for certain offenses before being repealed in 2014 by the Taubira law.
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On the question of OQTF, the former president believes that “ everything must change “, pleading for the granting of visas to be conditional on “aconsular return authorizations “. Concerning immigration, he proposes entrusting the management of the Schengen area to a “ European government » formed by the Ministers of the Interior of the member countries, who would elect a president from among them. “ This is a political subject of prime importance, the person responsible must be held accountable. Today, it is a European administrative process “, he added.
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Nicolas Sarkozy also stressed that “ Africa’s economic development is the only lasting solution to the immigration challenge », recalling that “ our destinies are linked “. He proposes the organization of an Africa-Europe summit and suggests that migrant files be examined in the south of the Mediterranean, before any crossing: “ Any application submitted after the crossing should be refused. » He warns: “ We are only at the beginning of the migration crisis. »
Support from Bruno Retailleau, more nuanced on Michel Barnier
On national policy, the former head of state showed his support for the new Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, and for the entire government of Michel Barnier. However, he criticizes the Prime Minister’s statements on the management of migratory flows, who advocated ” firmness and humanity » : « You will have to choose. A policy of firmness will have consequences on humanity, that is obvious. » Also denouncing the “ positions of political debate ».
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Favorable to a “ referendum on immigration “, Sarkozy, on the other hand, is firm on the question of tax increases mentioned by the new Prime Minister: ” After seven years of stabilizing taxes under Emmanuel Macron, it would be a mistake for a right-wing Prime Minister to increase taxes. » He adds: “ France is the country which pays the most taxes, where redistribution is the most important and where the feeling of injustice is the greatest. Reasoning in terms of tax increases would be a mistake; France needs jobs, growth and investments. »
In a previous interview given to our colleagues at FigaroNicolas Sarkozy had judged France “ on the edge of the abyss “. Faced with this observation, would the former Minister of the Interior (2005 to 2007) be tempted to return to politics again while the right lacks incarnation? “ No. It is not up to me today to embody this fight. There are enough candidates. I am useful by discussing with Emmanuel Macron or with Bruno Retailleau ».
“Every war must have an end”
Finally, questioned by Pascal Praud on the situation in the Middle East after the Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which left hundreds dead and allowed the leader of Hezbollah to be killed, Nicolas Sarkozy said: “ Israel has a duty to defend itself. If we were in the same situation, we would have to defend ourselves. » However, he believes that the time for negotiations is “ venu “. Concerning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he emphasizes that “ war can never eradicate its enemies » and concludes: “ Every war must have an end. Negotiation is not capitulation, we will have to discuss. »
