• Unsurprisingly, the Constitutional Council validated, this Thursday, most of the law on the extension of the health pass, and ruled in favor of the government.

  • Less than a month after his speech on July 12, most of Emmanuel Macron's announcements will therefore be in effect on August 9.

  • The lines should not move too much, however: little chance that the Constitutional Council has convinced the opponents.

The decision of the Constitutional Council on the law broadening the scope of the health pass was eagerly awaited, in every sense of the word. Because no one fell from their chair when the almost total validation of the law was announced this Thursday afternoon. Only two elements were censored: the difference in treatment between permanent contracts on the one hand and fixed-term contracts and temporary workers on the other (these contracts cannot be terminated before the end for lack of pass) and the automatic isolation of people. tested positive.

The main thing is elsewhere: less than a month after Emmanuel Macron's speech on July 12, most of his announcements will be in effect on August 9, despite protests in Parliament and in the streets.

The Constitutional Council "recognized that the government has found the right balance between health constraints, collective freedoms and individual freedoms," said Stéphane Rozès, president of Cap and teacher at Sciences Po, interviewed by

20 Minutes

.

He even thinks that the Council has "taken a thorn out of the government's side" by censoring the provision on fixed-term contracts and temporary contracts.

"Neither victory nor defeat"

Deputy of rebellious France, Ugo Bernalicis, who went to defend part of the opposition's requests before the Constitutional Council, had "a small hope that [his] arguments will be heard". They were in part, since "the questions of fixed-term contracts and compulsory isolation were part of our referral", he recalls. But only in part because "the Constitutional Council had already validated the logic of the health pass at the end of May", when it was introduced by the government, analyzes Ugo Bernalicis, recognizing a certain consistency of the constitutional judge who, since the beginning of the crisis, has always prioritizes the issue of health security over the rest.

However, it is out of the question to give the point to Emmanuel Macron: “I do not think there is a defeat or victory in this.

It is just another step forward for the government in the authoritarian character of the regime.

I don't know if they will claim victory.

It would not be a good way to manage a health crisis… ”

The political battle may not be completely over

The decision of the Constitutional Council will therefore not change Ugo Bernalicis' position on the health pass, and should not really change the point of view of the opposition in the street, believes Stéphane Rozès. However, among the protesters, the political scientist differentiates between anti-systems, anti-tax and anti-health pass, "who believe that freedoms are seriously challenged". “It is in this third category that there can, perhaps, be the most reflections on the decision of the Constitutional Council to validate the main part of the text. "

For Ugo Bernalicis, it's already seen everything: the demonstrations remain, according to him, legitimate.

And he is already thinking of the following: "The Constitutional Council leaves a margin of appreciation and the implementing decrees can be challenged before the Council of State".

However, the member from the North does not really believe in any success on this front.

He focuses above all on the political battle: "It is now a question of ensuring that the health pass is applied as short as possible!"

Olivier Véran affirmed that he will remove it as soon as possible, we will be very vigilant on this, ”he warns.

Society

Bars, restaurants, transport, hospitals… What will change from August 9

Health

The Constitutional Council validates the law on its extension of the health pass and censures compulsory isolation

  • Health pass

  • Constitutional Council

  • Coronavirus

  • Covid 19

  • Emmanuel Macron