“If I had been called Moussa, I would not have been elected”: Gérald Darmanin reveals his origins and creates controversy

The end of the former minister's speech caused a reaction from LFI and the RN. MAXPPP – Thomas Padilla

During the transfer of power on Monday, September 23, 2024, Gérald Darmanin returned to his origins as a “double grandson of an immigrant”, making an innuendo that did not fail to cause a reaction.

As he handed over his position to Bruno Retailleau this Monday in Paris in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Beauvau, the former Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, spoke about his origins before making a rather noticeable innuendo in the assembly.

“I probably wouldn't have been Minister of the Interior the first time around”

“My name is Gérald Moussa Jean Darmanin", said the former Minister of the Interior, explaining that his father chose the name Moussa, in homage to his grandfather, an Algerian rifleman who served France.

The double grandson of an immigrant, Gérald Darmanin then made a statement at the end of his speech that surprised the assembled: “It is quite obvious if we are honest, that if my name had been Moussa Darmanin, I would not have been elected mayor and deputy, and I probably would not have been Minister of the Interior in the first place”, he said declared.

The Valenciennes native here alludes to the daily difficulties encountered by people from immigrant backgrounds in French society.

And it was this sentence that caused a strong reaction from elected officials and LFI as well as the president of the RN Jordan Bardella.

“If your name had been Moussa, you might not have supported the murder of Nahel”

Raphaël Arnault, MP for the 1st constituency of Vaucluse, spoke on X: “After serving as a launching pad for the RN, it is now that it discovers that there is racism in France ? He fell out with Emmanuel Macron ? We are entitled to have more explanations".

Ersilia Soudais, LFI MP for the 7th constituency of Seine-et-Marne also spoke out: "If your name had been Moussa, you might not have supported the murder of Nahel", a reference to the young Nahel killed on June 27, 2023 by a police officer.

Jordan Bardella himself declared on X: “It would be interesting if Gérald Darmanin explained his remarks. Who does he consider racist: the inhabitants of Tourcoing, the members of the police institution, the French in general ? This statement is an insult to France which has given him everything and which gives a chance to all those who respect it".