Paris (AFP)
Loosen the corset of the state of health emergency without lowering their guard against the Covid: the deputies began Monday examining the project to end the crisis providing for the gradual lifting of restrictions, but new measures such as the "health pass" make a few cringe.
This text providing a framework for the deconfinement announced by Emmanuel Macron at the end of April is a "milestone" to get out "once and for all" of the epidemic crisis, assured the Minister of Health Olivier Véran in the hemicycle.
"It sets a course for a long-awaited return to our life before," he said, delivering an optimistic but cautious speech on the evolution of the pandemic in France.
Last step before the end of the tunnel?
In fact, the eight articles of the bill on "management of the exit from the health crisis" will continue to grant the government from June 2 to October 31 health police powers deemed exorbitant by the oppositions.
"There is no deceleration of health police measures," criticized socialist Marietta Karamanli, who unsuccessfully defended a motion of prior rejection.
The bill still allows a curfew, and even local confinement in territories that can bring together up to 10% of the French population, and creates a "sanitary pass".
This text also addresses the economic and social support measures, as well as the regional and departmental elections in June.
"Not to vote (it) would be a dry exit (from the state of health emergency), it would be irresponsible but we will be very demanding on the terms", warned Philippe Latombe (MoDem).
"No one disputes its usefulness", underlined Philippe Gosselin (LR).
But "you have to trust yourself with your eyes closed".
It is "a new episode of the state of emergency", castigates Eric Coquerel (LFI) who denounces "poorly put together" measures.
- A pass "too vague" -
In the sights of the opposition: the "health pass" for major events introduced in committee by the government.
"A measure fallen from the hat", according to Mr. Gosselin who notices that it has not been examined by the Council of State or the CNIL.
The tool initially reserved for travel to or from abroad could limit access to large gatherings or places bringing together more than 1,000 people.
To participate in a festival, for example, a music lover may have to present the negative result of a virological screening, or a proof of vaccination or a certificate of his recovery following contamination.
"The pass remains the best way to promote our vaccination efforts," said Mr. Véran.
But, despite government assurances, this device is ticking even in the ranks of the majority.
In committee, the majority voted for a "red line" to explicitly exclude daily activities from the perimeter of the "pass": restaurants, cinemas, theater, etc.
Its drafting remains "too vague", points out Mr. Latombe.
This new tool "constitutes a precedent whose effects should be limited," warns Ms. Karamanli.
Discussions on the total duration of the transitional regime as on the review clause before Parliament in the event of a return to local confinement should animate the debates.
This is the second time in a year that the government has presented a transitional regime for exiting the state of emergency.
At the beginning of the summer of 2020, deputies and senators voted for a text whose bases are similar to that examined at the Palais Bourbon, then in the Senate on May 18.
In the meantime, the emergency regime introduced in March 2020 was reactivated in October, then extended in February, while the human toll of the pandemic in France exceeds 106,000 deaths.
Last summer, during the vote on the previous bill to end the health crisis, the majority gave a large discharge to the government.
The oppositions had voted against.
The president of the Senate Gérard Larcher (LR) already warns, in Le Figaro, that he will say "no" to the two months during which the government can declare a state of health emergency "on part of the territory".
"It can only be done under the control of Parliament."
© 2021 AFP