A parliamentary debate is due to open next week on the conditions for organizing the next regional and departmental elections, while France is facing a third wave of coronavirus contamination.

At this stage, the government remains in favor of keeping the ballot on the dates scheduled, June 13 and 20.

The government asked mayors on Friday to vote on health measures for the regional and departmental elections in June, before a parliamentary debate scheduled for next week.

This message was to be sent Friday evening by the prefects to the mayors, who must give their answer by Monday noon.

The mayors are invited to "indicate by yes or by no if the conditions recommended by the scientific committee (them) seem met to hold the two ballots".

"This hasty consultation, from Friday evening to Monday morning, does not seem to us to be an appropriate method to deal with a question of this importance", reacted the Association of Mayors of France (AMF).

"It is always legitimate for the State to take the opinion of the mayors. But, in these circumstances, this opinion could not make the mayors responsible for a decision which is entirely that of the State", affirms the AMF in a letter published Friday evening.

"It is up to him to provide the health protection that allows the polling stations to be held and for citizens to vote in complete safety."

The AMF in favor of maintaining the ballot

The AMF recalls having communicated to the Prime Minister "its favorable opinion on the maintenance of this ballot since its organization guaranteed the health security of the voters and of the people participating in the polling operations".

"The elections constitute an essential act of democracy, the regular calendar of which guarantees sincerity", adds the association chaired by François Baroin.

Following the recommendations of the Scientific Council, the government confirmed last week that it favored "at this stage" the maintenance of these polls on June 13 and 20, dates on which it sought their opinion from the parties, political groups and presidents of the assemblies.

Debates should be held on Tuesday and Wednesday on the issue, respectively before the Assembly and the Senate.

The president (LREM) of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand spoke in favor of a postponement to October, a position opposite to that of his party.

President LR of the Senate Gérard Larcher asked for their retention in June.