PARIS DRAMA POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY

FRANCE FACING RADICALIZATION

AND THE ISSUES OF IMMIGRATION

The attacker, a Frenchman born in 1997 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, already on file for his links with radical Islamism and his psychiatric disorders, was apprehended by the police.

The drama began around 9 p.m. in the 15th arrondissement, as recounted by Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, present on the scene late in the evening. The suspect allegedly dealt several fatal blows to a man in the street, precipitating his tragic fate. The victim, a German national, was walking with his wife, physically spared but plunged into deep emotional shock.

The intervention of a taxi driver put an end to the first phase of the attack, followed by a call to 17 around 9:15 p.m., mobilizing the police of the 15th arrondissement. What followed was a breathtaking hunt for the suspect on the Bir-Hakeim bridge to the 16th arrondissement on the other side of the Seine.

During this hunt, the suspect attacked two other individuals with a hammer. Although their lives are not in danger, one is of foreign nationality, while the other is a French man in his sixties. The arrest of the suspect was facilitated by the use of an electric stun gun by law enforcement.

The initial investigation, entrusted to the criminal brigade, was quickly transferred to the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (Pnat) after midnight. Disturbing details emerged that the suspect allegedly chanted "Allah Akbar" repeatedly, expressing intolerance towards the deaths of Muslims around the world.

Gérald Darmanin revealed that the individual had already been sentenced in 2016 to four years in prison for having expressed a desire for violent action. Released in 2020, he was under the administrative surveillance of the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI), while undergoing treatment for his psychological disorders.

Faced with this tragedy, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne expressed her thoughts towards the victim, the injured and their loved ones, emphasizing the government's determination to not give in in the face of terrorism. Emmanuel Macron, later in the night, presented his condolences to the family of the deceased German national, praising the speed of the emergency services in arresting the suspect. He underlined the crucial role of the national anti-terrorism prosecution in the quest for truth on behalf of the French people.

This atrocious act of violence raises crucial questions about radicalization and the challenges linked to immigration in France. There are legitimate concerns about the system's ability to manage radicalized individuals with criminal histories, as well as the effectiveness of post-release monitoring systems.

This tragedy highlights the pressing need for in-depth reflection on immigration policies, in particular the distribution of French nationality without strict criteria and the management of the threat of radical Islamism. The French political authorities are now faced with their responsibilities in combating these challenges, in order to ensure the security and stability of the country.

Radicalization in the Spotlight

The echo of this tragedy resonates in the corridors of French power, raising broader questions about the management of radicalization in society. The cry of “Allah Akbar” uttered by the suspect highlights the religious dimension of this act, raising concerns about the way in which radical Islamism can take root in society.

The attacker's legal journey raises questions about the effectiveness of monitoring radicalized individuals after their release from prison. Convicted in 2016 for his violent aspirations, he was released in 2020, placed under the surveillance of the DGSI. However, despite this monitoring, he was able to carry out a murderous act, highlighting potential gaps in the security system.

The question of radicalization cannot be dissociated from the complexity of immigration in France. French nationality distributed without strict criteria is becoming a major concern.

How were individuals sharing extremist beliefs able to access citizenship without a rigorous assessment of their adherence to republican values ​​being carried out ?

This question resonates with particular force in the current context where the rise of radical Islamism is creeping into the cracks of an immigration system that is sometimes too permissive.

Immigration: Challenges and Reflections

The tragedy of December 2, 2023 highlights the need for serious introspection on immigration policies in France. The distribution of French nationality without rigorous criteria may prove to be an open door to individuals whose extremist beliefs threaten the stability of society. The ease with which radical individuals can access citizenship calls into question the robustness of control and selection mechanisms.

A reassessment of nationality granting procedures

The redefinition of migration policies in France, focused on the establishment of selective immigration, is emerging as a promising solution to strengthen the social and economic harmony of the country.

Questioning land law is seen as an essential necessity to adapt the process of granting French nationality to a changing world.

The central idea of ​​this transition is to move towards carefully selected immigration, based on rigorous criteria. The promotion of French culture, mastery of the language, as well as understanding of morals and customs, constitute essential elements among these criteria.

By opting for a proactive approach, France seeks to attract individuals whose values ​​and skills align harmoniously with those of French society.

The strict quotas, inherent to this new approach, aim to ensure a balance between the economic needs of the country and the preservation of its cultural identity.

By favoring specific selection criteria, such as professional qualifications and commitment to republican values, France aspires to build a diverse but united community.

This transition towards selective immigration is not only seen as a response to current challenges, but also as an opportunity to strengthen the French social fabric.

By encouraging integration and valuing diversity, France seeks to create a society where each individual, whatever their background, can contribute positively to national dynamism.

It is crucial to emphasize that this approach does not aim to close the doors, but rather to open them in a more selective manner, promoting a cultural exchange beneficial to all. By placing French culture at the heart of the selection criteria, the objective is to preserve and celebrate the cultural riches that make the nation unique.

In conclusion, the transition to chosen immigration in France, based on selective criteria including the promotion of French culture, represents a positive step forward towards a more coherent and resilient society. This proactive approach demonstrates France's desire to shape its future by welcoming those who share its fundamental values, thus contributing to the construction of a more inclusive and prosperous society.

All his reforms will also have the consequence of putting an end to such barbaric acts. All our thoughts are of course with the families of the victims.