FRENCH UNITED TERRITORIES WONDER IF POSTPONING REGIONAL ELECTIONS IS A MOVE

USPA NEWS - The French United Territories, (including the French Departments, the mayors (3 600 Mayors), Regions) are questioning of the postponement of next regional election is due to a strategic political move or the consequence of a vaccine strategy failure. By organizing an emergency over the weekend an incredible consultation of mayors on their ability to organize the elections next June, is the government making a pathetic admission of failure? The President of the Republic has announced a timetable for the reopening of the country at the beginning of May, and we could not go and vote in June? So the government does not have so much confidence in its vaccine strategy? We publish their press release of today. Source: French United Territories See also article : https://www.uspa24.com/bericht-18432/departmental-und-regional-elections-must-not-be-postoponed-again-due-to-covid-19.html. DEPARTMENTAL & REGIONAL ELECTIONS MUST NOT BE POSTPONED AGAIN DUE TO COVID-19 R. MUSELIER SAID 13-20 JUNE VOTED BY PARLIAMENT

CHANGING THE TIMING OF AN ELECTION REQUIRES POLITICAL CONSENSUS------------------------------------------ Instead of consulting the mayors to ask them what means they want to have available to ensure the vote in good conditions, the government makes them responsible for the date of an election, however fixed by law and whose modification falls under reality of its own responsibility! It is particularly disturbing, especially when we know that were organized this weekend without anyone talking about it several by-elections authorized by the prefects, without particular problem, and with participation rates of the order of 70%.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Changing the timing of an election is a big decision. It requires political consensus. This consensus was sought and obtained after the publication of Jean-Louis Debré's report which led to postponing the ballot from March to next June. We supported this process, we participated in the consensus and we even made proposals to anticipate and allow the ballot to run smoothly. But today, it is no longer about that. Because in reality, the government is afraid neither of the epidemic, nor of the capacity of the mayors, who have nevertheless shown their efficiency and their agility during this period of crisis, to take up challenges. What he is afraid of is the verdict of the ballot box. He does not have confidence in the ability of the people to democratically renew the assemblies of Regions and Departments which conduct policies essential for the daily life and the future of our fellow citizens. ARE WE SURE WE CAN ORGANIZE A POLL IN THE FALL THAT WE CANNOT ORGANIZE IN JUNE FOR HEALTH REASON ? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are we sure that the Constitutional Council will not deem the October ballot too close to the presidential elections, and in fact postpone them until the end of 2022?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is being played out, in reality, on the backs of the mayors and under the pretext of the health situation, is the postponement of local elections after the presidential and legislative ones because they would be "non-essential elections". This means an extension of more than 18 months of the mandates of regional and departmental advisers while they themselves want to put them into play in accordance with their commitments. IS THIS THE DEMOCRACY WE WANT FOR OUR COUNTRY ? NO !------------------------------------------------------------ We therefore call on the Prime Minister, who must speak in parliament, not to take responsibility for further fracturing our democracy. We ask each parliamentarian in his soul and conscience not to encourage this maneuver. Source: French United Territories../