The trial of Éric Dupond-Moretti before the Court of Justice of the Republic opened Monday, November 6 in an electric atmosphere and will last ten more days. He risks up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 euros for two illegal takings of interest.
On the first day of his trial, Monday November 6, the Minister of Justice and the prosecutor exchanged harsh remarks. Éric Dupond-Moretti immediately qualified this trial “infamy”and accused the magistrates of him “make war” since his arrival at Place Vendôme. The prosecutor replied that “this is not the process of justice” but that of a man accused of “illegal taking of interests”. He then underlined the difficulty for magistrates to judge the minister whose “depends on their career”. In short, the atmosphere was one of settling scores on all floors. With the fear that these two weeks of hearing will turn into a big unpacking, and that everyone, ministers and magistrates, politics and justice, will come out weakened.
Duel between a minister and his administration
The fault lies somewhat with everyone. Certainly, Éric Dupond-Moretti remains, like any citizen, presumed innocent. But by clinging to his position, not only when he was indicted, not only when he was referred to the Court of Justice of the Republic, but even, as if nothing had happened, during his trial, it weakens both the government and the judicial institution. All with the blessing of Emmanuel Macron.
From the first day, the trial therefore turned into a standoff between a minister and his administration. A duel which began with the appointment of Éric Dupond-Moretti, a “provocation” castigated in all tones by the magistrates’ unions. And it is precisely this climate which gave rise to this trial since the minister is accused of having taken advantage of his functions to initiate administrative proceedings against judges with whom he was in conflict.
An institution already criticized
No doubt no one can come out of this trial better, and that is the tragedy. If Éric Dupond-Moretti is acquitted, the credibility of the judiciary will suffer. And if the minister is convicted, many will point out the political nature of the Court of Justice of the Republic, made up of three magistrates and above all 12 parliamentarians, a majority of whom are political opponents. An institution so criticized that two presidents, François Hollande then Emmanuel Macron, promised to abolish it, but without taking action.
In short, whatever the outcome of the trial, we can fear that some will think that justice is not only rendered in the name of the French people, but also, sometimes, by virtue of a personal settling of scores.