An electoral campaign already marked by the Covid

Protected political rallies

The legal framework, as recalled by the Prime Minister when he presented a series of new health measures at the end of December, is however not binding: political rallies are protected by the Constitution, and, like religious services, therefore escape the restrictions imposed on other places likely to accommodate a large public. It is therefore the responsibility of each candidate or party, “responsibility” to which the government has called. With all the more insistence that Emmanuel Macron is embodied as a champion of the camp of the vaccinated and pro-pass (health, or vaccination), leaving his opponents facing their divisions on these questions, even their outright hostility.

It therefore remains for each political formation to set its own rules for the organization of the campaign and the major events planned for their candidate.On the side of LREM, unsurprisingly, the gauge (2000 people) will be respected for each meeting as the party of the outgoing president and probably candidate for his succession announced on December 28.At the other end of the spectrum, among the supporters of Éric Zemmour (who had launched his campaign in front of 10,000 people in Villepinte ), the teams of Marine Le Pen, or those of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, have made it known that they will not impose gauges.

LREM, LR and PS: yes to the gauges respected

All, on the other hand, indicated that they would ensure that barrier gestures were respected. The candidate of France Insoumise, like that of the Communist Party Fabien Roussel, announced that FFP2 masks would be distributed free of charge at the entrance to their respective meetings.”The gauges are complicated”, sighs Marc Taulelle, Gard referent of the candidate Zemmour: “We live in Absurdistan anyway at the moment. Otherwise, in our meetings, we ask for the health pass. Like the one I did Thursday evening in a bar in Bagnols-sur-Cèze. Wearing a mask? Yes, of course. Finally, in a bar, when people are drinking…”The question of the gauge has been settled at Europe Ecology Les Verts by the choice of modest gatherings in which Eric Jadot participates, while at the Socialist Party, it is recorded that the instructions of the government will be followed. Same logic on the side of the Republicans, where Valérie Pécresse assured that she wanted to be “exemplary”. What Arnaud Julien, president of the LRs in Hérault, confirmed to us last week: “With us it’s simple: we limit to 2000 people maximum, we ask for the vaccination pass and the mask is compulsory. It will happen for example like this Thursday when Stephan Rossignol and I will receive Christian Jacob at La Grande-Motte, for a meeting in support of Valérie Pécresse. Which will take place in a room that can be well ventilated.”