“
Balanced
” for the executive, “
disproportionate
” for its opponents.
The bill aimed at countering the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, with the controversial extension of the health pass, awaits the verdict of the Constitutional Council on Thursday, August 5.
The opinion at the end of the afternoon of the Sages of the rue de Montpensier conditions the implementation, in whole or in part, of the government's strategy.
It could also influence the mobilization and the arguments of those who denounce a “
liberticidal
”
text
.
To read also: Luc Ferry: "For the sanitary pass, philosophically!"
The text was adopted by the National Assembly and the Senate on July 25, after six days of heated debates and several inflections.
The Constitutional Council was then seized by the government and three groups of more than 60 parliamentarians each - two of senators and one of deputies.
If it is validated, in whole or for the most part, by the guarantor of the Constitution and fundamental freedoms, the executive has promised rapid entry into force.
The extension of the health pass to cafes, restaurants, fairs, trade shows, air travel or long train trips is scheduled for Monday by the government.
Ditto for medical establishments, except in emergencies, or even, by prefectural decision, shopping centers.
Conversely, a rejection of the text or of its main provisions would constitute a major setback for the government, which would be forced to abandon it or submit a new version to the two chambers, and a major victory for its opponents.
Between the two, the Constitutional Council can content itself with censoring certain technical provisions or modalities, which could then be withdrawn from the text to be promulgated.
Other measures to study
In addition to the health pass and its control extended to coffee shops, the Wise Men must review a number of other sensitive measures: isolation of infected people, compulsory vaccination of certain staff including caregivers and sanctions against refractory employees.
Read also: Health pass, vaccine obligation: the sling is gaining momentum among professionals
On May 31, the Constitutional Council had already approved the principle of the health pass - proof of vaccination, negative test for Covid-19 or certificate of recovery -, but this device was at the time limited to large gatherings such as festivals.
The Elysee said it was “
not worried
” about the fate that will be reserved for this “
balanced
”
text
, voted on and “
enriched
” in the Assembly and the Senate, dominated by the right-wing opposition.
"
In addition, we believe that there is a good dynamic, with the vaccination campaign which is ongoing
" and "
the strong calls of the president to be vaccinated for the young people
", estimates the presidency, with reference to the interventions of 'Emmanuel Macron on the Tik Tok and Instagram networks.
New epidemic wave
According to an Elabe poll for the Institut Montaigne, Radio Classique and the newspaper
Les Echos
, 48% of French people disapprove of the demonstrations against the health pass, 37% support them and 15% are indifferent.
A majority (55% to 63% depending on whether it is a question of accessing a restaurant or a train) are also willing to present this pass if requested, and 61% (against 39%) are in favor of the compulsory vaccination, according to this poll released Wednesday.
This decision comes in the midst of a new wave of the epidemic in France.
The number of Covid patients has more than tripled in one week: 8,134 patients in hospitals on Wednesday (up from 2,511) and 1,371 patients in critical care (up from 992).
Almost 54% of the population has a complete vaccination schedule.