Since his appointment on 23 September 2024, Bruno Retailleau has defined three priorities for his work: controlling immigration, fighting organised crime and strengthening everyday security. On 10 April 2025, he presented a progress report on his first six months at the head of the Ministry of the Interior.
Published on Aug 14,2025 at 6:11 AM | Updated on Sep 17,2025 at 1:10 PM

Immigration Control: Tougher Measures

The minister has implemented several measures aimed at strengthening immigration control. These include the abolition of the Valls circular, a 9% reduction in the number of long-stay visas issued, a 20% reduction in regularisations and a 9% increase in forced removals. An interministerial intelligence-sharing unit has been set up to combat smuggling networks, bringing together the Ministries of the Interior, the Armed Forces and the Economy.

 

Fight Against Organised Crime: Legislative and Operational Initiatives

As part of the fight against drug trafficking, Bruno RETAILLEAU presented a bill entitled ‘Getting France out of the Drug Trafficking Trap’, which was adopted by the joint committee in April 2025. This law aims to strengthen legal and operational resources to combat drug trafficking. In addition, the Organised Crime Task Force has been set up in Nanterre, bringing together intelligence and investigation services.

 

Everyday Security: Coordination and Strengthening of Law Enforcement

The ‘Villes de sécurité renforcée’ (Enhanced Security Towns) programme was launched in February 2025 to improve coordination between the police and gendarmerie on the outskirts of urban areas. Departmental action plans for everyday security have been drawn up jointly by prefects, departmental gendarmerie commanders and police commissioners. The ‘Beauvau des polices municipales’ initiative (a programme to reform and coordinate municipal police forces) has also been relaunched to strengthen the skills of municipal police officers and their coordination with internal security forces. Finally, 57 new gendarmerie brigades are to be created as part of the ‘239 brigades plan’.

 

Image credit: aron burden - Unsplash