The results of the first round of the municipal elections "are sanctuararized" and the government plans to organize the second round in June in the cities where it is necessary, after having agreed with all the political parties, announced on Monday the minister of Interior Christophe Castaner. "The elections which were concluded at the end of the first round have been won," he said during a press briefing, explaining that this concerned 30,000 municipalities.
"No one would indeed understand that the regular results of elections organized in accordance with the laws of the Republic (...) are called into question," he added. He also considered that the voters had been received at the polling stations "under special organizational conditions respecting the health recommendations issued" against the coronavirus.
Read also: LIVE - Coronavirus: follow Emmanuel Macron's statement live
A second round is however necessary in 5,000 municipalities, said Christophe Castaner. For this, the government is working on "a bill" which "postpones this poll to a later date, at the latest in June." The text plans to order a report "within six weeks at most" from the scientific council created for the management of the coronavirus health crisis, in order to decide on the possibility of organizing the elections "at the health level" .
This document, which would therefore be submitted in May at the latest, would then be presented "to all the political forces" , added Castaner, and "it is with them that we will take the precise decision (...) of the choice the date which is possible by the end of June ” .
Consequently, the government cancels the convocation of the voters for the second round initially planned for this Sunday, and the deadline of Tuesday evening 6 p.m. which the candidates had in principle to respect to formalize their candidacy for the second round is also canceled.