Political storm in France after the atrocious murder of little Lola

The heinous murder last Friday of a 12-year-old girl in Paris has unleashed a political storm, with harsh accusations between the right-wing and far-right opposition, on the one hand, and the government, on the other, about the irregular situation of the alleged murderer, a 24-year-old Algerian immigrant.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
19 October 2022 Wednesday 18:30
3 Reads
Political storm in France after the atrocious murder of little Lola

The heinous murder last Friday of a 12-year-old girl in Paris has unleashed a political storm, with harsh accusations between the right-wing and far-right opposition, on the one hand, and the government, on the other, about the irregular situation of the alleged murderer, a 24-year-old Algerian immigrant.

The drama of Lola, who suffocated to death and was later almost decapitated, and whose body appeared in a plastic trunk, has been used to wear down the government and seek political gain. "A little decency and respect the pain of the family," said the Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, in an intervention, on Tuesday, in the National Assembly. The head of Justice, Éric Dupond-Moretti, a former criminal lawyer with a very affiliated verb, went even further and accused the opposition of engaging in “politicking” and of “using the coffin of a 12-year-old girl like hers was a sidewalk ”.

After learning that the alleged murderer, Dahbia B., had received an order to leave the country on August 21 at Orly airport, the right-wing and extreme right-wing opposition – whose difference is increasingly tenuous – reacted with indignation . In reality, the order to Dahbia B. to leave France was voluntary. The law does not provide for coercive measures. And that is where the critics cling, with arguments of enormous virulence.

Deputy Éric Pauget, from Los Republicanos (LR), denounced "the weakness of the Republic" and its "laxity". "Lola lost her life because you did not expel that person," Pauget said. That is the grave consequence of her inaction.”

The deputy and former presidential candidate of the National Rally (RN), Marine Le Pen, spoke in similar terms. "The suspect of this barbaric act should not be found in our territory," she emphasized. The far-right leader condemned "the migratory laxity" of the Government and accused it, due to her slow reaction after the murder, of "not having appreciated the deep and immense emotion that this drama has aroused in the heart of the French people."

LR deputy Éric Ciotti, from the most right-wing wing and candidate to preside over the party, proposed placing all people in an irregular situation in administrative detention centers, an idea that, if put into practice – as an LR co-religionist reminded him – It would mean putting half a million people in a semi-prison regime, something impracticable.

The government spokesman, Olivier Véran, acknowledged yesterday that France "must do better" on the issue of the expulsion of irregular immigrants.

The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, received Lola's parents at the Elysee to offer his condolences and help. The wife of the head of state, Brigitte, a former high school teacher, reacted soon after the tragedy, which she described as "absolutely intolerable and abominable."

Today, Thursday, there will be a demonstration of mourning and solidarity, organized by the far-right think tank Institute for Justice. Given the risk of incidents, the interim president of the RN, Jordan Bardella, announced that he would not attend. Yes, former presidential candidate Éric Zemmour will.