Paris (AFP)
Jean Castex lamented Tuesday that some elected officials call on the mayors to "violate the rules of the Republic" by taking orders to reopen businesses during the reconfinement decided to fight the coronavirus epidemic.
"When the Republic is faced with the most serious health crisis it has suffered in decades, we do not call on mayors, servants of the Republic, to violate the laws of the Republic. It is not possible", rebelled the Prime Minister during the session of questions to the government at the National Assembly.
Responding to the deputy and president of the UDI Jean-Christophe Lagarde, who questioned him about the "coherence" of government decisions and the closure of businesses and not others, Mr. Castex explained that opening up "beyond" essential shops "means no longer doing reconfinement".
"As much as I fully understand the sufferings endured by the French and in particular the traders who have nothing to do with it. (...), I do not understand that you sent to the members of your political formation, to the mayors , a request strongly suggesting that they take orders to oppose the decisions of the state of health emergency, "lamented Mr. Castex.
The head of government greeted "responsible" mayors since, according to him, only 71 city councilors have issued a decree asking for the reopening of shops, "16 withdrew it, and 55 maintained it, according to yesterday's figures on 36,000 mayors ".
Dozens of local elected officials unilaterally issued orders authorizing the reopening of businesses, while only those of first necessity are allowed to open during the reconfinement.
Faced with discontent, Mr. Castex announced Sunday that in the name of "equity" and health security, the government had decided to close the shelves of "non-essential" products in supermarkets, rather than allow small businesses to reopen.
The government published a decree on Tuesday (which itself specifies a previous decree) on products that can be sold in supermarkets.
In particular, therefore, there are “toiletries, hygiene, maintenance and childcare products”.
© 2020 AFP