Bruno Retailleau

As interior minister, the day after the United States struck Iran's nuclear sites, said Iran could not be allowed to have the bomb and that Iran had caused the escalation.

“We could not tolerate Iran having the nuclear bomb”

In French: On ne pouvait pas supporter que l'Iran ait la bombe nucléaire

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With liberty

Backing military action against the regime's nuclear programme counts as with liberty.

In the same interview said liberal democracy cannot be imported with bombs, and that he would be glad if the Iranian people took charge of their own fate.

“You do not import liberal democracy with bombs. If the Iranian people take hold of their destiny, I will be glad of it”

In French: On n'importe pas la démocratie libérale avec des bombes. Si le peuple iranien se saisit de son destin, je m'en réjouirai

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Not clear either way

He wishes Iranians well against their rulers but offers no help and warns against forcing change, so the line does not settle the measure.

As interior minister, said he opposed France recognising a Palestinian state while the Israeli hostages were held and Hamas was not eradicated.

“It seemed to me that this Palestinian state could be recognised only if the conditions were met, such as the release of the Israeli hostages or the eradication of Hamas. I do not think those conditions are met”

In French: Il me semblait que l'on ne pourrait reconnaître cet État palestinien que si les conditions étaient réunies, comme la libération des otages israéliens ou l'éradication du Hamas. Je ne pense pas que ces conditions sont réunies

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With liberty

Opposing recognition of a Palestinian state while Hamas held hostages counts as with liberty.

As interior minister, issued a circular in early 2025 that replaced the 2012 rules and made it harder for undocumented workers to get legal status: seven years of presence instead of five.

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With liberty

Tightening regularisation enforces immigration law, the liberty side of this measure.

Said that as president he would bring back controls at the border with Spain and turn state medical aid for illegal migrants into emergency care only.

“I would restore the borders; there are dozens of crossing points on the southern border, between Spain and France.”

In French: Je rétablirais les frontières, il y a des dizaines de points de passage à la frontière sud, entre l'Espagne et la France.

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With liberty

Securing the border and cutting illegal entry counts as with liberty.

In an open letter, reproached President Macron for having opposed ending the 1968 agreement that gives Algerians special rights to settle in France.

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With liberty

Ending a special entry and residence route from Algeria limits migration from an Islamic country.

As interior minister, had the government report on the Muslim Brotherhood published and set up a chain of command in the state to act against its networks.

“This report clearly shows that there is a threat to republican principles, to republican institutions, to national cohesion”

In French: Ce rapport montre bien qu'il y a une menace vis-à-vis des principes républicains, des institutions républicaines, de la cohésion nationale

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With liberty

Acting against the Muslim Brotherhood counts as with liberty.

Opposed the proposed wealth tax known as the Zucman tax and any tax rise, and said France must leave what he called social-statism.

“We have to get out of 'social-statism'; the left has done a lot of harm to our economy”

In French: Il faut que l'on sorte du 'social-étatisme', la gauche a fait beaucoup de mal à notre économie

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With liberty

Opposing a wealth tax and higher taxes counts as with liberty.

Proposed one account for all welfare benefits, capped at 70 per cent of the minimum wage.

“I put all the welfare benefits into it and I cap them at 70% of the minimum wage”

In French: J'y mets la totalité des prestations sociales et je les plafonne à 70% du SMIC

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With liberty

Capping welfare payments is less state spending, the liberty side of this measure.

As a senator, wrote the bill, passed by the Senate in October 2018, that let prefects ban a named person from demonstrating; the Constitutional Council later struck that power down.

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Against liberty

A power for the government to bar a citizen from demonstrating without a judge is a restriction on lawful expression, the side against liberty.

As interior minister, regretted the broadcasting regulator's removal of the channel C8 from the air.

“Its disappearance from the broadcasting landscape deprives it of a space for expression”

In French: Sa disparition du paysage audiovisuel la prive d'un espace d'expression

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With liberty

Opposing a state regulator shutting down a television channel counts as with liberty.