Louvre Burglary Sparks National Security Debate Amid Diversity Hiring Criticism

The recent audacious burglary at the Louvre Museum, described by officials as the "theft of the decade," involved the theft of priceless jewelry linked to Napoleon's family and has exposed significant security failures. Dominique Buffin, the Louvre's first female head of security appointed last year, and the museum's first female director, Laurence Des Cars, have faced harsh criticism and calls to resign, with accusations that their appointments were driven by a "feminisation policy" prioritizing diversity over competence. Marion Maréchal, a Member of the European Parliament and niece of Marine Le Pen, condemned the management, blaming diversity hires for compromising museum security and endangering France's cultural heritage. Leaders of the National Rally party, including Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, described the theft as a deep wound to France's national pride and an "intolerable humiliation." Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged the security lapse, emphasizing the embarrassing ease with which the thieves operated, including using a furniture hoist in broad daylight. The controversy has sparked a broader debate about the balance between diversity policies and effective security in protecting France's treasured cultural assets.