France's justice crisis deepens as Lyhanna case sparks calls for Darmanin resignation

Public opinion in France is sharply divided over the Lyhanna case, with a poll showing 39% of respondents demanding the resignation of Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin and 74% attributing responsibility to the minister for the handling of the affair. The case concerns the discovery of 11‑year‑old Lyhanna’s body in the Gers department, nine days after the suspect Jérôme Barella – previously the subject of multiple reports and complaints for sexual violence against minors – was not detained.

France’s top prosecutor, Rémy Heitz, said the affair reveals a "systemic crisis" that goes beyond resource shortages in the judiciary. He warned of collective failure across the child‑protection system, citing a lack of psychologists, specialized pediatric units and adequate mechanisms for hearing children’s testimony. Heitz called for a broader, coordinated approach to reform and for the justice system to reopen its doors to public scrutiny.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the government’s handling of child‑protection cases and fueled debate over whether the minister should step down or whether accountability should be limited to lower‑level officials.