Without taking part in the debate on the use of the word “ensauvagement” (turning savage), François Hollande calls for “national unity on certain major issues”.

While Prime Minister Jean Castex tried to settle a controversy between his Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, and his Justice Minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, over the word “ensauvagement”, François Hollande distanced himself from “this battle of words”.

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Speaking on RTL radio, the former President of the Republic noted “a rise in violence in our country for years. There is a rise in villainous violence (…) and a rise in gratuitous, conjugal violence, in the street, in relation to the wearing of masks (…). Faced with this violence, there must be a firm and respectful society,” François Hollande said.

According to him, it is important that a “national unity” prevails in France “on certain major issues. It is absolutely essential. I called it during the period of the attacks and it was there (…). The demonstration on January 11th, and it is a source of pride, was the ability to react,” towards the attacks, he concluded.