do town halls have the right to close on January 31?

This Tuesday, January 31, a second major day of mobilization against the pension reform is organized, promising many strikes and blockades in the territory. Transport, energy, National Education… the usual sectors will be on the streets to demonstrate. But a new sector invites itself into the dance: town halls.

Indeed, the Secretary General of the Communist Party, Fabien Roussel, called on the mayors on January 24 on CNews “at symbolically close their town hall January 31″ in “solidarity with the social movement”. A call that was heard in several cities. Thus, in Villejuif (Seine-et-Marne), Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis), Bonneuil-sur-Marne ( Val-de-Marne) and Faches-Thumesnil (North), the town halls will be closed.

At the microphone of RTL, Friday January 27, thee PCF mayor of Montreuil, Patrice Bessac, had thus declared that “everything will be closed from noon” at the town hall of his city. On his side, Anne Hidalgo affirmed that “the Hôtel de la Ville de Paris will be a solidarity town hall on January 31 in solidarity with the social movement”.

Un service minimum

However, these town hall closures raise several questions. What about the services available at the town hall that day? In any case, there must be a guaranteed minimum service, continuity of public service. This concerns in particular the reception of the public such as thecivil status or the celebration of weddings.

Moreover, even if city ​​councilors cannot go on strike, since they are not employees, the staff have the right to do so. However, agents must not express political demands. However, the city of Paris told AFP that “two posters ‘Town hall in solidarity with the social movement’ will be installed on the facade of the town hall.

Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt said on BFM TVFriday, January 27, that closing town halls “is a real political issue, in terms of neutrality and respect for the convictions of fellow citizenscitizens who, for some, are opposed [à la réforme], [pour] others favorable”.

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