Municipal councils: the scientific council recommends strict conditions

The scientific council recommends strict sanitary conditions for the installation of the municipal councils elected at the first turn of the municipal elections, by recalling that the decision of their installation rests with the " national authorities ", in an opinion made public Monday. Edouard Philippe had asked May 4 this opinion to the council on the possibility of installing the municipal councils elected on March 15 without waiting for the report on the state of the epidemic of Covid-19 expected on May 23. Their implementation had been postponed with the holding of the second round, scheduled for March 22, due to the health crisis. The mandate of outgoing mayors was then extended.

Read also: LIVE - Coronavirus: 263 additional deaths in 24 hours, 2712 people are still in intensive care

In their opinion, the members of the scientific council recommend the adaptation of certain rules concerning the holding of municipal councils and the respect of reinforced sanitary conditions, in particular as regards social distancing. The installation of the councils must make it possible to elect the mayors and the assistants, to set up the new municipal teams. “ This first meeting could be organized in another place than the dedicated hall of the town hall if it is too small. The village halls or even the municipal gymnasiums could be places of reception (...) in order to respect the rule of 4m2 per person ", writes the council in its opinion dated May 8 of which AFP obtained a copy .

It recommends “ limiting the number of people present ”, in particular by considering “ the possibility of in camera, the reassessment of the quorum necessary for the holding of a valid election, the authorization of proxies ” and by limiting the duration of the meeting. The basic rules must also be respected, such as " minimum distances ", the provision of hydro-alcoholic gels and " the wearing of an individual mask " for the counselors present. The council also recommends the " use of a personal pen " and that only one person is " in charge of handling the ballots " during the vote and the counting.

Read also: Guillaume Tabard: "At LREM, little maneuvers, big consequences"

On the basis of this opinion, the Prime Minister had indicated that he would submit to parliament " a report as soon as possible " to say " if, and especially when, this installation is possible ". Municipal councils were fully elected in the first round in 30,139 municipalities (excluding Polynesia and New Caledonia) for a total of 431,739 elected officials. 79% of the boards concerned have less than 20 elected officials, 95% less than 30 elected officials, and only 34 have more than 50, according to the figures in the opinion. A second round, the date of which has not yet been set, will however have to take place in some 5,000 municipalities, especially in the big cities, where the council was not fully elected on March 15.