Deconfinement: the health emergency law not promulgated in time

Text by: RFI Follow

While France began this Monday, May 11 its deconfinement, the executive appeals "to the sense of the responsibility of the French" to comply with certain provisions of the law of state of emergency, such as limiting travel to 100 km and compulsory certification in public transport.

Publicity

The phase we entered this Monday, May 11 is a "gamble" for the president and his government. But the deconfinement already knows its first “quack”.

The executive hoped to be able to promulgate the health emergency law on Sunday evening, after the green light from the Constitutional Council, seized on Saturday by Emmanuel Macron, the president of the Senate Gérard Larcher and Sunday by 63 left-wing deputies. But the Wise Men will not finally give their opinion until Monday on this law adopted Saturday by the Parliament.

Executive "  appeals to sense of responsibility  "

Until they give their approval, the law is therefore not promulgated. And so, several measures that restrict individual freedoms, such as limiting travel to 100 km or the compulsory certificate to take public transport, do not come into force. Officially at least.

Because by then, the executive is appealing to the "  sense of responsibility of the French  ", in a joint press release issued on the night of Sunday to Monday by the Élysée and Matignon so that these provisions "  are respected  ", adding that 'it was "  in any event provided that they should be subject to a period of tolerance  ".

Élysée / Matignon night press release: the law on the extension of the state of health emergency is awaiting the decision of the Constitutional Council. The provisions (100km, access to transport ...) "will therefore be legally taken on May 11 in the evening", subject to decision CC pic.twitter.com/Au5v13OnyS

A provisional decree to enforce the other measures

End of the restrictions on leaving the home, obligation to wear a mask in public transport, reopening of shops on condition of compliance with barrier gestures and distance and limitation to ten people of gatherings in public places. As for these other deconfinement measures, they come into force this Monday morning. "  In view of these exceptional circumstances  ", a temporary decree will be published in the Official Journal on Monday to apply them with immediate effect, said the press release.

Another decree will finally, after the opinion of the CNIL "  taken before the end of the week  " to authorize, still subject to the decision of the Constitutional Council, the information systems necessary for epidemiological investigations.

" Maximum pressure " for Macron and Philippe

After 55 days of confinement, this May 11 is both awaited and feared. The stake is major for the president and his government whose crisis management has so far been harshly judged by their fellow citizens. "  With the deconfinement, we must not be clever  " repeats besides privately Edouard Philippe these last days, so to say that this new stage will be most delicate. "  The hard part is not over  " adds one of his ministers. Within the government, one apprehends the two weeks which come and the assumption of a “  partial reconfinement  ”, in particular of the Ile-de-France is “  a true worry  ”, dixit a ministerial adviser, whereas in the entourage of the president, one insists on the " reversible  " character  of the deconfinement. Reopening of schools, organization of transport, movement control ... Each file is a puzzle.

“  The pressure is maximum, it's a major moment. Emmanuel Macron will be judged on the effectiveness of deconfinement  ”, judges a relative of Emmanuel Macron. Despite a presence on all fronts and a confinement that is described as "  success  " on the side of the Elysee, distrust of the Head of State is still in the majority and his management of the crisis is for the moment judged more harshly than in most European countries. The confinement did not allow Emmanuel Macron to raise the bar. Successful deconfinement is therefore essential for him for the rest of the five-year period.

(with AFP)

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• France
• Confinement
• Coronavirus
• Health and Medicine
• Edouard Philippe
• Emmanuel Macron

On the same subject

Reportage France

Deconfinement is now

Deconfinement in France: a gradual resumption of activity, including a lot of telework

French press review

Headlines: the leap into the unknown of deconfinement