after the publication of a video exposing police behavior in Sainte-Soline, Marine Tondelier asks Gérald Darmanin to explain himself or resign

The current Minister of Justice was serving as Minister of the Interior on March 25, 2023, when a banned demonstration turned into clashes between environmental activists and police. Video showed that police fired prohibited “tense shots” at demonstrators.

Published on 11/11/2025 00:06

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Marine Tondelier, national secretary of Ecology, gives an interview at the headquarters of Europe Ecologie-Les Verts, in Paris, October 23, 2025. (FLORENT MOREAU / MAXPPP) — Marine Tondelier, national secretary of Ecologist, gives an interview at the headquarters of Europe Ecologie-Les Verts, in Paris, 23 October 2025. (FLORENT MOREAU / MAXPPP)

“We ask that if he cannot provide an explanation or apology, he resigns.” National Secretary Ecologist Marine Tondelier on Monday, November 10, asked Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin to provide an explanation or leave his post, following the publication of a video about the behavior of law enforcement officers mobilized against a banned demonstration of environmental activists in Sainte-Soline (Deux-Sèvres) on March 25, 2023.

“I awaited the reaction of the then Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin. He refused to comment to the press. This is unacceptable”said Marine Tondelier on social networks. “Several environmental MPs contacted the Rennes prosecutor who handled the case (…) but Gérald Darmanin, who is now Minister of Justice, is now his hierarchical superior”added the environmental leader, who is also a candidate in the next presidential election and called on Gérald Darmanin to explain himself or resign. “for the sake of peace of mind as a result of the law that can be provided”.

(Gérald Darmanin must explain himself or resign) Video review of what reminds me of the shocking revelations of the last few days regarding police actions on October 25, 2023 in Sainte-Soline.

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— Marine Tondelier (@marinetondelier.fr) November 10, 2025 at 21:40.

Interviewed on November 6, the day after the video was published by Release and Mediapart, Gérald Darmanin admitted that he did not have one “see or hear video and sound”. However, he brought his own “support” to the police, anyone “doing their jobs, I think, for most of them, in very difficult conditions”facing a “unprecedented wave of violence” was on the side of the demonstrators. Protesters have announced that 200 people were injured in their ranks, including 40 in serious condition, and 45 police. Meanwhile, the current Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, condemned the action. “about” and it “cue” manned by police and seen on video, but he denied the term “police violence”.