The government has decided. Friday, May 22, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced that the second round of municipal elections would be held on Sunday, June 28. The Council of Ministers is to issue a decree to convoke voters on Wednesday, May 27, as required by law. The executive is cautious, however, has embarked on a reversible process with a review clause around June 5 in order to reassess the health situation.
If it turns out to be impossible to vote in June, the election must be held no later than January 2021. Among the Dionysian candidates qualified for the second round (1) of the election, the reactions are nuanced.
Ending the in-between for Mathieu Hanotin
“If the sanitary conditions are met, the election must take place in June, says Mathieu Hanotin (PS), otherwise it would be harmful for the city to stay in this in-between for several more months. “The head of the Notre Saint-Denis list, would not have been against going back to the polls from June 14 or 21, but” understands the organizational argument and the need to normalize the situation administratively. In any case, the departmental adviser is back on the campaign this Wednesday. By following the recommendations of the government which invites the candidates to do differently because of the epidemic. “We will adapt,” says Mathieu Hanotin. It would not be reasonable to organize a meeting for example. However, we are not going to refrain from being on the street and talking to people, while remaining careful. “
Priorities are elsewhere for the outgoing mayor
In a press release published on Friday, May 22, Laurent Russier was more cautious about the government’s decision: “I can only regret this choice which I consider premature while we are working hard at the reception of our children in the schools, that we have to face a real food emergency and that the city services and the Mayor that I am, are daily alongside the inhabitants. “And the head of the Vivons Saint-Denis list is great at detailing the problems posed by a vote on June 28:” It would certainly cause, and as in the 1er turn of March 15, a massive abstention. Indeed, for many Dionysians this health and social crisis was very anxiety-provoking and deeply affected them. Today they have other emergencies and other concerns than the holding of municipal elections. However, for it to be truly democratic, this ballot must be able to assure everyone (whatever their state of health) to be able to vote peacefully, without fear or particular pressure. In addition, in the current context, the holding of this election at the end of June would not allow the various lists to inform and mobilize, in proximity and exchange around an election which is however fundamental for everyone’s life.. “
However, the mayor obviously agrees to organize the election in the best conditions and says he is determined to defend his project, but recalls that “during this new campaign which is coming, the health of the Dionysians will always come before any other consideration. It remains to be seen whether he will make common cause with his sports assistant Bally Bagayoko (invited to react on the date of June 28 he did not follow up) also qualified for the second round with the list Make Saint-Denis in common . The two men and their supporters are in the midst of negotiations. Response no later than Tuesday June 2, deadline for filing lists.
Yann Lalande
Sunday March 15, Mathieu Hanotin and the Notre Saint-Denis list came out on top with 35% of the vote, ahead of Laurent Russier and the Vivons Saint-Denis large list (24%) and Bally Bagayoko and the Faire Saint-Denis list in common (18%)
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