The end of a false suspense, lifted this Friday afternoon just after the Council of Ministers. Ten days after Emmanuel Macron set up the confinement, Édouard Philippe was responsible for announcing its renewal this time. For at least a fortnight, starting next Tuesday, that is until April 15, when the peak of the epidemic is not yet reached in the territory, and that the scientific council has itself evaluated at "at minus six weeks the total period of confinement required ”. Will we go that far? "It is still too early to know for sure," said the Prime Minister.
VIDEO. Coronavirus: Edouard Philippe announces "extension of confinement for 15 days"
According to our information, the decision was taken Thursday noon at the Élysée, during a one-on-one lunch between Emmanuel Macron and Édouard Philippe. Then they communicated it right after to members of the government during the Council of Ministers.
Why there, when the first period of confinement ran until next Tuesday? "We had to send a clear message before the start of the weekend," said spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye. Many people were legitimately wondering if they were going to return to work next week, in case the confinement had not been renewed. Which legitimately posed organizational questions. This uncertainty has been removed. "
Reminder of "some good communication rules"
If this announcement did not surprise anyone on the merits, it nevertheless made it possible to recall a few points on the form. Firstly for the French, whose behavior is still considered lax in certain places. “Those who do not follow the rules will be severely punished. Because it is a question of the health of all and in particular of the most fragile among us, ”Philippe firmly insisted. Then, more surprisingly, it was in the direction of his own government that he recalled earlier today "a few rules of good communication".
A development experienced by some as a reframing, even if Matignon refutes this term, after several days of speaking more or less well perceived rue de Varennes. "Speak only about your areas of competence, only the Minister of Health is empowered to speak on health matters", he warned during a meeting by videoconference with all of his organized team the morning. "In summary, no improvisation and clarity for a coherent speech, especially in this period of exceptional crisis", specifies his entourage.
A "polar atmosphere"
Without ever mentioning the slightest name, the charge was aimed particularly at the Minister of Agriculture Didier Guillaume, whose call for "the French to go to work in the fields" to support the farmers, launched Wednesday morning on BFMTV, was moderately appreciated . On the one hand because it was not done in consultation with the Prime Minister, and especially because he intervened the day after 8 p.m. of TF1 by Edouard Philippe where he urged more than ever the French not to leave at their home.
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"So the rule is clear, no announcements that have not been arbitrated upstream, and we only communicate on subjects related to its strict scope" hammered Philippe in a "polar atmosphere", according to a participant, who reminded everyone “their duty of discipline, exemplarity and solidarity”. "We were on video, but I felt his anger on the screen," said a minister. So much so that once this was done, nobody dared to take it back or make any comments ...