The session of questions to the government (QAG) will be held Tuesday in the National Assembly in a still tightened format, with only one deputy to represent each political group, its president told the different groups.
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" I can confirm that from now on only one representative per group may be present, " said President Richard Ferrand (LREM) in a letter addressed to the presidents of the eight groups of the Assembly - to which AFP had access - after an exchange with them. " This colleague will ask the questions of colleagues in his group according to the usual round, the number of questions per group remaining unchanged, " he adds in this text, that is to say two questions reserved for each group.
On the 11th day of confinement in the face of the coronavirus epidemic, he stresses that this situation "is necessary because of the need to take the most restrictive measures possible, with regard to the movement and assembly of people ". " Consequently, the number of officials present in the hemicycle during questions to the government will also be drastically reduced ," continues Richard Ferrand, while the latter (ushers, officials of the meeting ...) are usually present in numbers when the Assembly sits.
Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, the Palais Bourbon has itself been an “ epidemic center ” with at least 26 cases of covid-19, including 18 deputies. Given the health restrictions and the concentration of action on crisis management, the Assembly therefore meets in a reduced format and the reforms (retirement, bioethics ...) are suspended until further notice. Questions to the government are, however, scheduled for the next two Tuesday. And a parliamentary fact-finding mission, which should be chaired by Richard Ferrand, must also work on managing the coronavirus epidemic and monitor weekly the measures taken by the government. It is due to start work next week.