Abuse of Authority and Power to Harm. On the Ministerial “Inquiry” into “Islamo-Leftism”

In February 2021, Frédérique Vidal, the French Minister for Higher Education and Research, declared that “islamo-gauchisme” (“Islamo-leftism”) was plaguing French society, and the university in particular. She announced an inquiry investigating these aspects was to be conducted. Vague, confused and threatening, this discourse aroused the anger of a large part of France’s academic community. Yet the Minister maintained her commitment to an ideological witch-hunt in the university and reiterated her will to launch an “inquiry”. As a result we lodged a complaint before the French highest administrative court to annul her decision by arguing that the inquiry violated the constitutional principle of academic freedom and France’s international commitments. Two years later, and after Ms. Vidal’s resignation, the minister in charge today has replied that Ms. Vidal’s words were not binding, as eventually no investigation was ever initiated. And yet, as we have documented, Ms. Vidal’s words had actual and damaging consequences for our colleagues. This response from the minister provides food for thought on the current nature of political discourse and the irresponsibility of members of the executive.