Bruno Retailleau, a former French Interior Minister and current candidate for the Republicans' presidential nomination, has been cited to testify as a witness in the trial of Robert Ménard, the mayor of Béziers. The trial is scheduled to take place in Montpellier on September 30. Ménard is being prosecuted for refusing to officiate the marriage of a 29-year-old French woman and her 23-year-old Algerian partner, who was subject to an order of deportation (OQTF), on July 7, 2023. The couple filed a formal complaint, arguing that Ménard wrongly suspected their marriage of being a "sham marriage." The French woman, identified as Eva, told BFMTV that the marriage was genuine and that the accusation continues to deeply hurt her. Retailleau, who is running for president, expressed his intention to share his perspective on the case, emphasizing his experience as a former Interior Minister. He noted that legal rulings on such matters often conflict with the views of many French citizens, who believe the state should take a firmer stance toward individuals subject to OQTF. Retailleau had previously criticized the situation, stating in February 2025 on CNews and Europe 1 that it was "absurd" for mayors, who are responsible for public order, to face legal consequences rather than the individuals who entered France irregularly. Robert Ménard was initially summoned as part of a pre-trial procedure to recognize guilt (CRPC) on February 18, 2025. However, he rejected the proposed guilty plea from the Montpellier prosecutor, leading to the case being referred to the criminal court. If found guilty, Ménard could face up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros. Earlier in May 2025, Ménard had requested that President Emmanuel Macron testify, citing the president's public remarks on TF1 where he called the situation "absurd" and the law "poorly drafted." However, according to BFMTV, Macron will not attend the trial in Montpellier. The case has sparked debate over the balance between local officials' discretion and national immigration laws. It also highlights tensions between individual rights and public order, as well as the role of mayors in enforcing legal procedures. The trial is expected to bring further clarity to these complex legal and social issues, with Retailleau's testimony likely to add another layer of political context to the proceedings.