The Louvre Museum in Paris has faced backlash after a high-profile theft of the French crown jewels, with critics accusing the museum’s management of prioritizing diversity over competence in appointments. The controversy centers around the appointment of Dominique Buffin, the museum’s first female head of security, and her predecessor Laurence des Cars, the first woman to lead the museum. The heist has sparked accusations of political bias and security failures.
Marion Marechal, a member of the European Parliament and niece of veteran right-wing politician Marine Le Pen, said France had become the “laughingstock of the world” over what she called the “ridiculous theft.” “This humiliation cannot go unanswered,” Marechal wrote on X on Monday, urging Culture Minister Rachida Dati to demand the immediate resignation of des Cars and Buffin, whom she accused of being appointed “as part of a feminization policy.”
The Louvre, home to masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, has faced criticism for security lapses and modernization delays. A state audit had found security systems “old and inadequate” before the heist. Former Louvre director Pierre Rosenberg warned as early as 1998 that the museum’s security remained “fragile.” Investigators said they were pursuing several leads and had not ruled out an inside job, though early evidence pointed to organized crime. The Louvre remained closed to visitors on Monday as police reviewed CCTV footage.