Gerald Darmanin has been reconfirmed as Justice Minister despite the Prime Minister's rules against 2027 presidential ambitions. Upon announcement, he suspended his party Populaires and gave up running for mayor of Tourcoing in March 2026. This discretion aims to position him for future politics.
In the political maelstrom of the last two months, Gerald Darmanin stands out as one of the few survivors of ministerial instability. Amid new faces from civil society or poached parliamentarians, he remains the last heavyweight Macronist in government. Unlike other State ministers from Francois Bayrou's government (December 2024-September 2025) – such as Elisabeth Borne at education, Manuel Valls for overseas territories, or Bruno Retailleau at interior – the Nord elected official was confirmed at the Justice Ministry by the executive duo.
His presence in the Lecornu II government, fifth in protocol rank, defies Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's directives to renew the team after the Lecornu I blunder. Lecornu had warned: “Those entering government must commit to disconnecting from 2027 presidential ambitions.” Despite his displayed loyalty to Emmanuel Macron and long-standing companionship with Lecornu – who was his wedding witness – Darmanin had to wage an active campaign to secure his position. “In politics, friendships only go so far,” one minister quips ironically.
This reconfirmation, recently officialized, requires Darmanin to suspend his Populaires party and forgo the Tourcoing mayoralty in March 2026, measures to comply with demands and better prepare for 2027.