Paris (AFP)
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote to prefects on Friday evening asking them to strengthen protective measures towards elected officials in the context of anti-vaccine mobilizations, AFP learned on Saturday.
In recent days, "messages of threats against parliamentarians and elected officials are multiplying in the context of anti-vaccine claims," writes Gérald Darmanin in this note consulted by AFP, also addressed to the directors of the police and the gendarmerie.
By asking them "to mobilize the internal security forces placed under your authority to reassure elected officials, prevent these acts and react quickly in the event of an event", the Minister recalls that actions "sometimes violent" took place on "hotlines. and against parliamentary assistants ".
About fifteen anti-vaccine demonstrators thus invaded the office of President of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand (LREM) in Châteaulin (Finistère) on Friday, before being put to flight by a gendarmerie patrol.
Richard Ferrand had also announced Thursday to file a complaint, due to death threats received by deputies supporting the vaccine measures and the health pass presented Monday by Emmanuel Macron.
In detail, Gérald Darmanin calls on the prefects and the police to "strengthen the surveillance around the offices of parliamentarians as well as their homes if necessary" or to contact parliamentarians and elected to "remind them the procedures to be followed in the event of an incident ".
New anti-vaccine demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday in France.
The authorities expect a mobilization of around 40,000 people.
Wednesday, the national holiday of July 14, some 19,000 people according to the Interior had already demonstrated in the country to protest against the announcements of the Head of State.
© 2021 AFP