In total, over 24,000 mayors (which is more than two-thirds of all mayors in France) responded to the consultation launched by the government on Friday regarding the maintenance or postponement of the regional and departmental elections scheduled for June 13 and 20.
Out of these 24,000 mayors, 13,513 (56%) expressed support for holding the election in June. 9,812 (40%) were opposed, and 4% did not respond, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
Christian Estrosi, a proponent of postponing, publicly stated this Sunday, “Our democracy will not be confined if we have the guarantee that these elections [currently scheduled for June 13 and 20] will take place in 2021, when the situation improves, starting in September.”
In contrast, Charles-Ange Ginésy, president of the Departmental Council, said, “With a record participation rate of nearly 98%, 80% of the Mayors of the Alpes-Maritimes have expressed themselves in favor of holding the departmental and regional elections in June. I am pleased with this position. It aligns with my stance that democracy should thrive in our territories. Officials need the legitimacy of the ballot boxes and the citizens to act.”
The disagreement between the Mayor of Nice and the President of the Departmental Council (backed by the mayors of cities such as Antibes, Cannes, Grasse) once again becomes evident.
There’s no need to discuss the position of Deputy Eric Ciotti, who had already strongly criticized the initiative.
“Maintain the elections! President Macron has backed down. Tonight, it’s a victory for democracy.”
These Tuesday and Wednesday, a debate is to be organized in the National Assembly and the Senate.
