Covid: the government confirms favoring the maintenance of regional in June - France 24

Paris (AFP)

The government confirms that it favors "at this stage" the maintenance in June of regional and departmental elections, before consulting political parties and a debate in Parliament, according to a report to Parliament that AFP obtained on Friday.

"The government notes that the committee of scientists does not clearly and explicitly recommend a postponement of the elections called for June 13 and 20. At this stage, it is therefore the scenario of maintaining the elections on the scheduled dates which is favored by the government. government, "according to this report.

The new restrictive measures to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic announced Wednesday by the President of the Republic and those "relating to the acceleration of vaccination should have the effect of improving the health situation at the end of the month of June ", argues the government.

But to maintain these elections, "it is necessary to ensure that all the conditions formulated by the committee of scientists must be able to be satisfied and that their concrete implementation does not alter the free expression of the vote", emphasizes -he.

"The Prime Minister transmitted the report to the political formations. They must give their position before next Thursday evening. There will then be a debate in Parliament, perhaps as early as the following week," said government spokesman Gabriel Attal in the Figaro.

"A country that lives is a democracy that works, and it cannot be sacrificed. It means a real campaign, real debates, a vote in good conditions," he added.

At this stage, almost all political parties have said they are in favor of maintaining the polls in June.

Before the Senate Thursday, Jean Castex had indicated that the government favored "at this stage" the maintenance in June of the two polls, already postponed from March to June because of the health crisis.

He added that "a debate based on article 50-1 of the Constitution will be organized in Parliament" after consultation with the parties and associations of elected officials.

© 2021 AFP