"It's a kind of miracle after the crazy night we spent with all these requests for postponement . " Despite numerous last-minute defections linked to the acceleration of the coronavirus crisis, the 897 polling stations in the capital were able to open this Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Good news, including Emmanuel Grégoire - first deputy of the outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo -, was welcomed on BFM Paris.
LIVE - Municipal elections 2020: a first round maintained despite the coronavirus
Edouard Philippe's announcements on Saturday evening, notably the closure of "non-essential" public places, had caused uncertainty over the continuation of the poll. Many in the opposition - including six regional presidents - had asked for a postponement of the election.
"We were rappelled overnight"
Faced with this climate of doubt, the mayor of Paris had to face certain renunciations among the 7000 people hired to run the polling stations (presidents, assessors, secretaries). "We rappelled overnight. We asked those who had signed up to be replacements, ” details Figaro Emmanuel Grégoire. A reserve of volunteers is in fact provided for each election.
“The polling stations have been open for 8 hours. Everything is done to allow you to vote in the best conditions. A big thank you to all the presidents, assessors and municipal officials mobilized throughout the day, " greeted the outgoing mayor and candidate for her re-election, Anne Hidalgo, on Sunday morning on Twitter.
