Jacqueline Gourault

France Nature Environnement, Greenpeace and the association La Sphinx challenged the Constitutional Council's recusal rules before the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee, citing Jacqueline Gourault and Jacques Mézard in connection with a priority constitutional question (QPC) relating to the ELAN law, on the grounds of their former government responsibilities.

State of the evidence

Documented

During the review of the 2023 pension reform, legal commentators considered that Jacqueline Gourault's participation raised an issue concerning the appearance of impartiality because she had belonged to the government that defended an earlier pension reform proposal in 2019.

State of the evidence

Documented

The former minister's appointment to the Constitutional Council prompted parliamentary criticism over her lack of legal training and closeness to political power. It was approved by an aggregate vote across the committees of 41 in favour, 31 against and 4 abstentions.

State of the evidence

Documented

During the yellow vest crisis, Jacqueline Gourault proposed that all French people, including the poorest, should pay income tax, even symbolically. Matignon quickly indicated that the idea was not under consideration.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During the 2019 baccalaureate crisis, Gourault stated that sanctions should be imposed on striking examiners who withheld grades. Teachers and union representatives denounced her combative tone and an escalation of the dispute.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

On 3 July 2018, while responsible for Corsican affairs in government, Jacqueline Gourault described Corsican detainees as 'political prisoners', adopting terminology used by nationalists but rejected by the French executive. The wording immediately prompted commentary and criticism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In January 2018, Gourault referred to tax reform and a 'fairer tax' in the context of abolishing the taxe d'habitation, which was interpreted as a possible announcement of a new tax. Bruno Le Maire publicly reaffirmed that no new tax would be introduced during the presidential term.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During debates on the asylum and immigration bill in April 2018, LR MPs repeatedly questioned an alleged regularisation plan, prompting Gourault to denounce 'authoritarian methods' and react angrily to the idea of 'forcing a minister to answer'. Christian Jacob replied that the government was accountable to Parliament.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility