Marine Tondelier Demands Gérald Darmanin's Resignation Over Sainte-Soline Police Violence

Following the emergence of disturbing video evidence of police brutality during the March 25, 2023, protest at Sainte-Soline, Marine Tondelier, leader of the Ecologists, has called on Gérald Darmanin to either explain himself or resign. Darmanin, then Minister of the Interior and now Minister of Justice, has faced intense scrutiny after videos published by Libération and Mediapart documented gendarmes encouraging the illegal use of direct grenade shots towards protesters, with some gendarmes openly expressing satisfaction at the injuries inflicted.

The demonstration, which had been banned, escalated into severe clashes, with approximately 5,000 grenades fired, resulting in about 200 protesters injured, including 40 seriously, while police reported 45 injuries within their ranks. Although current Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the gendarmes' actions, he rejected labeling the events as "police violence."

An official investigation is underway by the Rennes prosecutor's office focusing on four severely injured individuals, though no judge has been assigned yet. Additionally, the General Inspectorate of the National Gendarmerie (IGGN) has launched an administrative inquiry. Several members of parliament have reported police conduct during the protest, intensifying political pressure for accountability. Tondelier sharply criticized Darmanin for failing to address these serious concerns, branding his silence as unacceptable in light of the gravity of the incidents.