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Postponement of regional elections? Let's not re-define democracy once again!

2021-04-12T12:55:47.117Z


FIGAROVOX / TRIBUNE - For Senators LR Valérie Boyer and Stéphane Le Rudulier, constitutionalist, postponing regional elections would deprive the French of a breath of democratic air in these times of crisis.


Valérie Boyer and Stéphane Le Rudulier are LR senators of Bouches-du-Rhône.

Everyone remembers the chaotic unfolding of the municipal elections of March and June 2020 with a record abstention despite a real interest from the French for this election.

Some argue that the scenario is likely to repeat itself, with regard to the departmental and regional elections next June.

Of course, the health context with the current epidemic rebound unfortunately makes it very difficult, for the time being, to hold a dignified democratic debate (exchanges in the field, door-to-door, public meetings) of our republic and the challenges , not to mention the keeping of the actual polling stations.

Nevertheless, it would appear very difficult to confine democracy once again, to put it in parentheses.

This raises a number of questions.

Can we ignore that a whole series of elections of various importance (presidential, legislative, local elections, etc.) have taken place in some of our neighboring countries, exactly thirteen, which have chosen to maintain these democratic breaths at the cost? some adjustments in the conduct of campaigns and voting operations?

The constitutionality of a possible new postponement, which, of an exceptional nature, could become of a recurring frequency, is most fragile.

How can we claim, given the current state of our knowledge and the health context, that the month of June will be just as critical as it is today when the vaccination campaign has a new start?

Would October be a better month?

Who can maintain today that the specter of contagion will be definitively dispelled?

If, in the midst of the pandemic outbreak, we have the possibility of going to the supermarket several times a week while taking certain precautions, how can we seriously support that going to the polling station two Sundays in June in a row by following the recommendations described in the report of the Scientific committee handed over to the government would present an insurmountable risk?

To read also:

"Democracy demands it: let's vote in June for departmental and regional elections"

Can we admit, finally, that the date of the ballots for these regional and departmental elections so essential for our territories can be postponed over time, as if it were a simple adjustment variable of the pandemic crisis?

On the contrary, any crisis situation leads to the fact that democratic life must be even more alert than in ordinary times, elections cannot be considered as non-essential or ancillary activities?

Beyond 2021, the postponement of regional and departmental elections would inevitably pose the problem of postponing the presidential election, which would also require a revision of the Constitution in order to modify its article 7.

As for the evocation of the postponement of the regional and departmental elections after the two rounds of the presidential election, it cannot be reasonably credible.

The “

compelling reason

” of general interest which should motivate any postponement of elections would be sorely missed.

In addition, the regional and departmental advisers being part of the college of people empowered to sponsor candidates for the presidential election, the next departmental and regional meetings had to take place before the presidential election in order to renew the electorate.

The constitutionality of a possible new postponement, which, of an exceptional nature, could become of a recurring frequency, is most fragile.

The justification for such a postponement, in a context where it appears desirable to cling to solid democratic benchmarks rather than evoking uncertain horizons, is questionable.

The urgency therefore rests on the fact that the government can reassure us and guarantee the holding of this electoral campaign in the best conditions.

Last question, and not the least.

It remains to be seen whether the French will be at the rendezvous of this democratic moment.

We can have great doubts about this in view of the situation.

This is undoubtedly not the current preoccupation of most of our fellow citizens.

Read also:

What democratic problems poses the postponement of local elections?

If many of them hope for a quick exit from this crisis which dragged on like a never-ending day, to resume "

their former life

", for the time being, they have no spirit to get involved. and to question their rulers both at the departmental and regional levels.

Will abstention be the big winner in these elections?

Who will benefit from this unique and unprecedented climate?

To leavers or to extremes?

Apart from a deterioration in the health situation such that it would lead to the material impossibility of ensuring the smooth running of the electoral campaign or of the voting operations, the legislator cannot indefinitely postpone the regional and departmental elections as changes evolve. of the pandemic.

This is not his job.

The urgency therefore rests on the fact that the government can, by regulation or by circular, reassure us and guarantee the holding of this electoral campaign in the best conditions by adapting in particular the modalities and operations of vote with regard to the situation but to the - beyond proposing innovative means of “

electoral propaganda

” in order to replace traditional field actions.

It is only at this price that we will be able to calmly envisage the holding of these 2 polls so essential to our daily lives and which, through their local action, have demonstrated their effectiveness.

Also, at a time when we are wondering about the compulsory vaccination of teachers and health professionals, what will the Government do for the polling station keepers?

Will they have to be vaccinated or will they be given priority for vaccination?

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-04-12

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