France's New Justice and Interior Ministers Push Aggressive Crime Crackdown

Gérald Darmanin and Bruno Retailleau unveil plans to combat narcotrafficking, reform juvenile justice, and address prison overcrowding.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced the isolation of France's 100 most dangerous narcotraffickers in a system modeled after protocols used for terrorist detainees.
Plans include constructing smaller, easier-to-build prisons for short-term sentences to address overcrowding and improve enforcement of penalties.
The government aims to combat narcotrafficking with measures like banning encrypted drug promotion messages, using AI and drones, and expelling dealers from public housing.
Reforms to juvenile justice laws are proposed, including reversing the presumption of leniency for minors and enabling immediate trials for young offenders.
The Retailleau-Darmanin partnership signals a return to hardline policies, with increased focus on enforcing sentences and tackling organized crime.