The second round of municipal elections, scheduled to take place on March 22, had been put on hold by the coronavirus covid-19 crisis. It will finally be held on June 28, 2020, but this decision is “reversible” depending on sanitary conditions.
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A reversible decision
It’s the end of the suspense: Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner announced that the second round of the municipal elections will be held on Sunday June 28, 2020 … if the sanitary conditions allow it.
This second round concerns nearly 5,000 municipalities, especially the largest. In Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the results are pending in a little more than 580 municipalities and in particular in 27 municipalities with more than 3,500 inhabitants (18 in Burgundy and 9 in Franche-Comté).
After weighing the pros and cons, we believe that democratic life must resume its rights – Edouard Philippe
I know I can count on the mayors to ensure that this second round takes place in the best conditions, said the Prime Minister.
Respect for barrier gestures and physical distance by the redevelopment of premises or some floor markings, hydroalcoholic gel or access to a water point to wash your hands, wearing a mandatory mask for voters and polling station members (presidents, assessors, municipal employees and tellers) …
Several measures have been announced to ensure that sanitary conditions are guaranteed at polling stations. Voters will need to bring their personal pens to sign and everyone will present and handle their own ID.
More, this decision could be “reversible” if health conditions were to deteriorate. This is why a “review clause” with the scientific council is planned within two weeks.
“In the event that this second round could not take place, it would be necessary to keep the time necessary for the examination by the Parliament of the legal framework which would allow to organize a new postponement of the municipal elections,” said the Prime Minister. The second round of the elections would then probably be postponed to January 2021.
After weighing the pros and cons, we think that democratic life must regain all its rights: on May 27, we will present to the President of the Republic a decree which will call voters to go to the polls for the second round of municipal elections on June 28. pic.twitter.com/TrPMAJVa1h
– Edouard Philippe (@EPhilippePM) May 22, 2020
“It will not be a second round as before”
Until then, the electoral campaign must not become “a factor in the circulation of the virus”. It will therefore be necessary to “campaign differently”.
I trust the inventiveness of the candidates to find a way to get their ideas across while respecting health rules – Edouard Philippe.
For his part, the Minister of the Interior requests in particular to “prioritize digital campaigns” (videoconferences and social networks in particular), as well as interventions and debates in the media.
Christophe Castaner also mentions the possibility of professions of faith which are “more detailed, longer”.
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#MUNICIPAL Agreement with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe who announces that the second round of municipal elections will be held on June 28. #CORONAVIRUS #DECONFINEMENT
– Cécile Untermaier (@ceciluntermaier) May 22, 2020
What reactions in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté?
A decision that should delight François Rebsamen who co-signed a forum with many mayors of large cities to request the organization of the poll in June.
“If we want our country to start again, elections must be held as quickly as possible, obviously respecting health rules,” said the mayor of Dijon, who won the first round on March 15, 2020 with around 38%. voices.
However, this does not please Julien Odoul, president of the Rassemblement national group at the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regional council, who has repeatedly expressed opposition.
“The government has chosen to close the 2020 municipal elections on June 28. The state must act to protect all voters and assessors while facilitating the collection of proxies. Another defeat on the mask front would be unforgivable,” he said. .
Other reactions are starting to fall:
– Emmanuel Bichot, municipal councilor LR, second after François Rebsamen during the first round in Dijon: “For municipal councils, I offer the possibility for voters to vote by choice at the polls or at a distance, by electronic means or by correspondence.”
-Sylvain Comparot, candidate LREM (The Republic on the March) arrived in 4th position in the first round of the municipal ones in Dijon: “Our country is not ready for a second round of the municipal ones in June, it is for me a democratic fault. I think that we are going to make the Dijonnaises take unnecessary and inconsiderate risks in a situation full of uncertainties. The priority stake, it is not the elections, it is the health of all and the support for our economy.
We hear every day that the day after would be different from the day before. However, with this second round on June 28, in the midst of a health crisis and now economic, the next world looks sadly like the world before. “
-Annie Genevard, LR MP for the 5th district of Doubs: “The second round of municipal elections on June 28 is good news. The municipal teams will be able to launch their projects and revive the public investment essential to the economy of our country.”
-Alain Houpert, Senator LR de Côte-d’Or: “Second round of #municipales on June 28. Ah no! There will be a” revoyure clause “which could postpone it to January. The cacophony never ends …”
-Guillaume Larrivé, deputy LR of the 1st district of Yonne: “This decision of Edouard Philippe is reasonable, to make a success of the democratic meeting of the municipalities in the best sanitary conditions: it is the general interest.”
-François Patriat, Senator LREM from Côte-d’Or : “I understand the decision of the government which is to want to settle the episode of the municipal ones (…), I also hear well the will to be able to relaunch the intermunicipalities to relaunch the economy”. But, the leader of the senators LREM fears “a break in equality” between candidates during the second round of municipal elections on June 28, due to the difficulty for non-leavers to campaign.
-Cécile Untermaier, PS deputy for the 4th district of Saône-et-Loire: “Agreement with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe who announces that the second round of municipal elections will be held on June 28”
On the side of the voters, this decision provokes a great many comments.
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