Les Républicains leader Bruno Retailleau proposed on Saturday the creation of a disciplinary court for magistrates to impose sanctions on judges, in response to failures revealed by the death of the 11-year-old girl in the Gers.
Bruno Retailleau stated that the sanction mechanisms for magistrates do not work. He criticised the Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, which he described as too corporatist, noting that only one sanction, a reprimand, had been issued in about fifteen years. The presidential candidate outlined his proposal: the new court would include a panel of citizens selected by lot, sitting alongside magistrates and qualified figures. It could be seized by citizens, hierarchical superiors or the Justice Minister, and would not be chaired by a magistrate. The remarks come after the death of Lyhanna and revelations about the record of main suspect Jérôme B., who was the subject of several complaints for sexual violence against minors. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged that the institution had failed to protect the girl.