PARIS — The political landscape in France is marked by significant disagreement regarding the situation of lawmaker Andy Kerbrat, who was recently implicated in the purchase of synthetic drugs. The incident has sparked debates on whether he should resign from his position due to his illegal behavior.

Kerbrat, a member of the far-left France Unbowed party, openly acknowledged his actions in a statement posted on social media, where he also sought forgiveness from his constituents. He attributed his drug use to “personal problems and psychological fragilities” and committed himself to combating his addiction by undergoing treatment before returning to his parliamentary duties.

Following his actions, Kerbrat was not detained but voluntarily visited the police station the next day for questioning.

Support for Kerbrat has emerged from several leftist politicians who argue that his drug use highlights a broader public health concern. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of France Unbowed, offered his “very friendly support” to Kerbrat’s battle against addiction through a post on social media.

Senator Melanie Vogel from the Greens party expressed her wishes for Kerbrat’s recovery, emphasizing that issues of drug use and addiction should be treated as public health matters. She criticized the general approach in France, which she believes leans towards punitive measures rather than essential care and treatment.

Likewise, Sandrine Rousseau, another member of the Greens, stated that she does not believe Kerbrat should resign, highlighting that individuals involved with synthetic drugs often face vulnerabilities and mental health struggles.

Contradicting this opinion, conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau insisted that Kerbrat must face the consequences of his actions. He stressed that lawmakers should be role models and pointed to the increasing prevalence of drug-related crime in France as a pressing issue that should not be overlooked.

Laurent Jacobelli, representing The Republicans party, acknowledged the necessity for treatment in Kerbrat’s case but insisted that he is guilty of breaching the law. He found it particularly troubling that a legislator would engage in such activities while being responsible for creating laws.

In addition, various media commentary has scrutinized what they interpret as an inadequate defense for Kerbrat’s behavior. The French magazine Marianne drew attention to Kerbrat’s previous public statements regarding drug trafficking and its social repercussions. Just days before his arrest, he had signed a petition urging the government to adopt “urgent and specific measures” to address these escalating issues.