Postponement of the regional: the government returns the ball to the opposition

"It's a nice trap that has closed on us," blows a ministerial adviser.

The government intended to stick to the opinion of the scientific council on the need to postpone or not the regional and departmental elections beyond June 2021, but the latter returned the ball to it.

So the executive turns to… the opposition.

"The hot potato has landed and now we're trying to iron it," smiles a Walker.

In the entourage of Prime Minister Jean Castex, it is assured that "nothing is settled at this stage" and that the parties, after the submission of the government report to Parliament, will be consulted before any decision is taken.

Report which, according to several sources, will itself be "non-conclusive", on the mode "one consults before deciding anything".

During the breakfast of the executives of the majority, which was held as every week this Tuesday morning, Jean Castex was careful not to show any preference.

"The opinion of the scientific council does not offer a strong enough grip for the government to take a firm position without consulting the various parties in its report", judges the delegate general of LREM, Stanislas Guerini.

A majority executive sums it up: “If we postpone, we will cry denial of democracy and if we maintain, we will say that we are taking risks.

The government does not want to take responsibility for the decision alone, but wants it to be widely shared in the political sphere.

"

"Let the oppositions tell us things clearly"

By organizing soon, in the name of Article 50-1, a debate in Parliament?

The option was discussed during the majority breakfast.

The president of the Assembly, Richard Ferrand, and the president of the LREM group in the Assembly, Christophe Castaner said they were in favor, the latter insisting on the need to also consult the political parties.

Nothing was decided yet on Tuesday morning.

“A 50-1 debate would be a good way for everyone to express themselves clearly.

It just doesn't have to be too long a timeframe and postpone the debate for weeks.

The worst is uncertainty, ”continues Guerini.

All have in mind the passes of arms with the opposition on the organization of municipal elections in 2020 - "They reproached us for having maintained them, whereas two weeks earlier they pleaded for," a lieutenant still squeaks today. Of the president.

The same continues: "Let the oppositions tell us things clearly.

Everyone must take their responsibilities, give a clear opinion.

"

If the majority is shared, the opposition seems in favor of maintaining it in June.

So much so that in the eyes of some, for whom a postponement would require "unanimity", "the mass is said".

"If we rely on the parties, we will do the regional in June", echoes a government adviser.