Debré was a member of the Neo-Gaullist party Rally for the Republic (RPR), then of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).

As minister, He was held responsible for the controversial 1996 evacuation of Saint-Bernard de la Chapelle church in Paris, which was occupied by illegal immigrants (so called sans-papiers) on hunger strikes.

Also during his time in office, he led efforts on a 1997 law aimed at curbing illegal immigration and making it easier to assimilate foreigners in the country.

[3] Debré’s priority during his term was the cessation of hostilities in war-ridden Corsica, particularly with the largest military formation at the time, the FLNC-Canal Historique.

[4] Along with prime minister Alain Juppé, Debré spearheaded the Tralonca peace campaign with the historiques.

[5] The agreements failed after Debré and other people involved refused to release political prisoners arrested during the peace process.

Faithful to President Chirac, he frequently criticized UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy.

[9] In 2015, a chance encounter between Debré and homeless author Jean-Marie Roughol led the latter to write about living rough, resulting in the French bestseller Je tape la manche (I’m begging).

[13] In the Republicans' 2016 presidential primaries, he publicly endorsed Alain Juppé as the party's candidate for the 2017 elections.