Is Emmanuel Macron right to rely on the presumption of innocence of his indicted ministers?

Olivier Dussopt was on trial for suspicion of favoritism in a water distribution deal concluded in 2009 when he was mayor of Annonay, in Ardèche. The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office had requested a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 15,000 euros. The procedure lasted three and a half years and he was therefore acquitted on Thursday January 17 by the Paris criminal court.

Olivier Dussopt said to himself “happy” that his “innocence” either “recognized” and “justice has been done to him”. He is the second minister to be cleared by the courts in a few weeks. At the end of November, Minister of Justice Éric Dupond-Moretti was acquitted by the Court of Justice of the Republic of suspicion of illegal taking of interest. He had been accused of having taken advantage of his ministerial functions to initiate administrative proceedings against magistrates with whom he was in conflict.

Emmanuel Macron kept these two ministers in office throughout the legal proceedings. And the two acquittals handed down by the courts will reinforce the Head of State in his desire to place the principle of presumption of innocence above all others.

The new Minister of Culture, also indicted

Emmanuel Macron brandished the principle of presumption of innocence, once again, Tuesday evening, during his press conference to justify the appointment of Rachida Dati to the post of Minister of Culture, despite her indictment for “passive corruption” in the Renault affair. And he justified it by the disappearance of individual instructions from the Chancellery which reinforced the independence of the Prosecutor’s Office. There is therefore no question for Emmanuel Macron of deviating from this imperative, he who repeats that justice must be delivered in the courts and not in the media or on social networks.

It is still a political risk to rely on ministers under investigation. Emmanuel Macron could measure it within a few weeks, if Rachida Dati is sent back to correctional facilities. The Minister of Culture is a strong head who does not take gloves to defend herself. A free electron as she showed, again on Wednesday, by confirming, barely named rue de Valois, her candidacy for the Paris municipal elections. This choice by Emmanuel Macron may further strain relations between politicians and magistrates. It is a risky political calculation, but one which can also pay off given the unpopularity of judges in public opinion.