Edouard Philippe announced this Sunday that he would bring together "again at the beginning of the week" scientific experts and "representatives of the political forces" in order to take a decision on the holding of the second round of municipal elections on March 22, threatened by the crisis coronavirus.
The Minister of Health Olivier Véran had indicated a few minutes earlier, on France 2, that he would "probably Tuesday" ask their opinion to scientific experts on the advisability of a second round, while several political leaders called as soon Sunday evening to a postponement after a first round marked by a strong abstention.
The first round "went perfectly"
As for rumors of an announcement of total containment of the country on Tuesday, Olivier Véran replied: “We hear a lot said. If a person has to sign such a decree, I will be aware. "
The Prime Minister for his part stressed that the first round "went perfectly". But "the high rate of abstention that we register, however, testifies to the growing concern of our fellow citizens in the face of the epidemic which strikes us," he added.
"Total transparency"
He indicated that "it is by taking into account the opinion of the health authorities that we will organize for the second round". It will meet "again at the beginning of the week the scientific council", then consult "the representatives of the political forces".
"It is in total transparency taking into account the health recommendations and I hope, in a spirit of Republican consensus, that we will take the necessary measures", he concluded. Government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye confirmed on TF1 that "the process" would be "the same" for the second round as for the first, namely to consult the scientific committee.
"Everyone wants the second round to be held"
If scientists say that the second round can not be held "in good conditions", "we will assume and we will follow their recommendation obviously," added Minister Julien Denormandie.
Find our municipal file
"Obviously for the democratic dynamics of our country, everyone wants the holding of the second round, but everyone puts above all the health of the French," he said on LCI.
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- Edouard Philippe
- Coronavirus
- Elections
- Municipal