Élisabeth Borne Calls for Restraint: “No Legislating in the Heat of the Moment or Under Emotion”

In an interview published this Saturday, June 7, in Le Parisien, Education Minister Élisabeth Borne urges her government colleagues to resist reacting impulsively to every tragic news event. She calls for an end to the “escalation of outdated measures” and advocates for a thoughtful, root-cause-based approach rather than symbolic or knee-jerk responses.

“The reports on Islamist radicalism, the death of Elias, or the violence surrounding the PSG match are understandably shocking to the public,” Borne acknowledges. “But we must neither legislate in the heat of the moment nor let emotion guide our decisions.” For the former Prime Minister, effective governance is about delivering coherent, realistic solutions—not making noisy announcements.

Subtle Reproaches to Security-Driven Rivals

Without naming them directly, Borne takes aim at political heavyweights like Bruno Retailleau, Gérald Darmanin, and Gabriel Attal, warning against “a climate of overreaction” fueled by media exposure and early jockeying for the 2027 presidential race. “Some seem more focused on making headlines than on building substance,” she says pointedly. “Government action should not be measured in decibels.”

On the Headscarf Debate: “A Complex Issue Requiring Reflection”

Borne also criticizes a controversial proposal to ban headscarves for girls under 15 in public spaces—backed by her own political movement—calling it “unconstitutional and unenforceable.” She stresses the need for open, internal discussion: “These are complex, sensitive issues involving civil liberties and national cohesion. They deserve careful thought—not rushed positioning.”