” I understand the government’s decision to settle the municipal episode […], I can also hear the desire to be able to relaunch the intermunicipalities to relaunch the economy “, said François Patriat, the boss of the group The Republic on the Move in the Senate on Europe 1. “But despite everything I wonder about the sincerity of this election.”
“We are told that we will be able to vote, but I think that there will be a break in the equality of candidates […] “, continued the elected official. “Breach of equality” between non-outgoing candidates and outgoing mayors “ who campaigned with masks, with tests, in schools, in canteens, in nursing homes […] that we have seen on television, in the press, and who de facto find themselves in a position of strength that is completely unbalanced in relation to their challengers “, developed the senator from the Côte-d’Or.
Also, if there were a ” reprise “ of the epidemic, “The responsibility would fall entirely on the head of state, which I do not wish”, argued François Patriat again, recalling that he was himself a supporter of “Postpone the elections, repeat two rounds”, at least for large cities.
“We will distort the result”
“The LREM group in the Senate is loyal, in solidarity with the government”, he assured, however, excluding from opposing a decision “Collegially taken by the Prime Minister in agreement with the government”.
The President (LREM) of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand himself estimated on Tuesday that he was not ” reasonable “ to consider a second round of municipal elections from the end of June, “Even though the campaigns cannot take place since we cannot bring together more than ten people”.
On the same wavelength, the centrist leader of the UDI Jean-Christophe Lagarde stressed on France Info that there are municipalities “Where it will play out with a few voices. And as we saw in March, part of the electorate will not vote for fear, another for lack of information. So we will distort the result “.
“Without an election campaign no informed choice. With the coronavirus a too weak participation to guarantee the sincerity of the ballot ”, he still judged.
“In the Republic, democracy is not limited to just voting days. If we are told that there can be no campaign before going to the polls, then the vote should not take place. Otherwise, it’s a low intensity democracy that is taking shape ”, for his part estimated the deputy of France rebellious Alexis Corbière on BFMTV.
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