Deux-Sèvres Inquiry: Unraveling the Violence of the Sainte-Soline Substitution Reserve Protests

Nearly six months after the mobilization against the Sainte-Soline substitution reserve, the commission of inquiry “on the small groups responsible for violence” is moving to Deux-Sèvres. In order to better understand the events of March 25, eight deputies met members of the police forces present that day, as well as farmers.

It is a classic of parliamentary inquiries: deputies complete their hearings in the National Assembly with field visits. The objective of the day is to take the pulse of Deux-Sèvres while the Sainte-Soline substitution reserve is one of the most recent and striking symbols of the violence committed during demonstrations.

General Samuel Dubuis, commander of the gendarmerie of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, answered questions from deputies. • © France Televisions

Patrick Hetzel, deputy Les Républicains is the president of the investigative committee “on the small groups responsible for violence” which focuses on the demonstrations and gatherings that took place between March 16 and May 3, 2023. It notes the evolution of the modes of mobilization: “We have two decades where we see that it is unfolding but in any case, we also note more and more more and more organized forms, with no more inhibition in relation to the use of this violence and that, that must worry us .”

To support their account of the events, the gendarmes had prepared a sample of some 300 objects seized during the last demonstration against mega-basins in Sainte-Soline on March 25, as so many arguments for the premeditation of the violence committed: “Farmers picked up almost six tons of stones that were in storage, there really was a supply chain”says General Samuel Dubuis, commander of the gendarmerie of the New Aquitaine region.

Opponents of substitution reserves during the demonstration in Sainte-Soline on March 25. • © France Televisions

This is the method of the Roman tortoise, a compact group that protects itself and advances while throwing projectiles. The deputies also questioned the use of quads by the gendarmes, which caused controversy. The General explains that he chose them in order to have a better view of the actions of the demonstrators in depth, as well as better deterrence thanks to tear gas. The intervention of a police doctor to provide first aid was also discussed: “His action was decisive, and when he came back, he again faced incredible harassment,” he pointed out. “When I make the decision to send this doctor outside, it’s a decision that is extremely complicated, at a time when my gendarmes are also injured.”

The MEPs’ visit continued with the hearings of farmers’ representatives. The elected representatives of the Chamber and the unions, with the exception of the Confédération paysanne, which was absent, deplored the unprecedented rise in tensions between farmers.

“They use the word ‘it’s the water war’unfortunately there is a war today, just look at Ukraine, but it takes two belligerents to make a war, we don’t attack”claims Jean-Marc Renaudeau, President of the Deux-Sèvres Chamber of Agriculture.

MEPs still have other hearings scheduled. The protest organizers are next on their list.

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