This Thursday at the Chamber, the MR President defended an unambiguous position: certain crimes must result in genuine life sentences, with no possibility of early release.
“There are acts that fall under a political choice. It is not for the sentence enforcement court to decide this. It is up to us, the lawmakers, to set the rule.”
The debate concerns a fundamental issue: the lasting protection of society from the perpetrators of the most serious crimes. For the MR, when it comes to acts of terrorism, paedophilia or child murder, there can be no ambiguity. Even if behaviour in prison is deemed exemplary, certain offences must rule out any prospect of release.
Georges-Louis Bouchez pointed to a reality that challenges our system: if certain highly publicised cases result de facto in life imprisonment, what about other, less publicly exposed cases? Justice cannot function on two levels. There cannot be double standards.
The stakes are clear: sending a strong signal to society. A firm, consistent and protective line. A line that affirms that for certain crimes, there can be no judicial redemption.
The MR is moving in this direction, with a clear aim: to strengthen security, restore citizens' trust, and ensure that the law protects victims and society first and foremost.