Robert Badinter, the former Minister of Justice of François Mitterrand who brought about the abolition of the death penalty in France, died in the night from Thursday to Friday, we learned from his collaborator, Aude Napoli . The former president of the Constitutional Council was 95 years old.
“A figure of the century” for Emmanuel Macron
President Emmanuel Macron greeted Friday in Robert Badinter, died at 95, “the man behind the abolition of the death penalty” and “a figure of the century, a republican conscience, the French spirit”.
Lawyer, Minister of Justice, man for the abolition of the death penalty. Robert Badinter never stopped pleading for the Enlightenment. He was a figure of the century, a republican conscience, the French spirit. pic.twitter.com/3IJ9jekLSd
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 9, 2024
“The abolition of the death penalty will forever be its legacy for France”, reacts Gabriel Attal
“He will have devoted every second of his life to fighting for what was just, to fighting for fundamental freedoms. The abolition of the death penalty will forever be his legacy for France,” reacted the Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, also on X.
All his life, he made the voice of Justice thunder.
Man of law and values.
Lawyer, minister, statesman, Robert Badinter has left us.From the courtrooms to the stands of the National Assembly and the Senate, and to the Constitutional Council, he will have devoted… pic.twitter.com/cRvchgdqZH
— Gabriel Attal (@GabrielAttal) February 9, 2024
“A speaker who brought his words to life like poetry”, declares Jean-Luc Mélenchon
The leader of La France Insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, praised Friday the “unparalleled strength of conviction” of Robert Badinter, a “simply luminous” being, after the death of the father of the abolition of the death penalty.
“While sitting alongside him in the Senate, I admired Robert Badinter so much! He was an orator who brought his words to life like poetry. He reasoned while speaking and his strength of conviction was unparalleled. No matter the disagreements. I have never encountered another being of this nature. He was simply luminous,” reacted Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the social network X.
While sitting alongside him in the Senate, I admired Robert Badinter so much! He was a speaker who brought his words to life like poetry. He reasoned while speaking and his strength of conviction was unparalleled. No matter the disagreements. I have never encountered another being…
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) February 9, 2024
Laurent Fabius hailed “a righteous man among the righteous” while Éric Dupond-Moretti described him as a “visionary Keeper of the Seals” who “leaves an immeasurable void”. At the microphone of Europe 1, Jean-Louis Debré, Minister of the Interior under the presidency of Jacques Chirac, pays tribute, “as a former magistrate” to “the lawyer who, in difficult circumstances, always defended the right to liberty.” The former President of the National Assembly adds that Robert Badinter was also “a voice which challenges everyone on the construction of a world of freedom”.
The former President of the Republic, François Hollande, describes him as “a great figure of the Republic”, whose “battles” and “convictions” “will remain in History”.
With Robert Badinter a great figure of the Republic disappears. His fights, his convictions, his speeches will remain in History. We will miss his intelligence and his great courtesy. I send all my condolences to Elisabeth and their children. pic.twitter.com/YLaile0c6g
— François Hollande (@fhollande) February 9, 2024
Finally, Marine Le Pen also reacted, hailing “a man of conviction” and “a prominent figure in the intellectual and legal landscape”.
We might not share all of Robert Badinter’s struggles, but this man of convictions was undoubtedly a significant figure in the intellectual and legal landscape. I send my condolences to his wife and family.
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) February 9, 2024