Status: 07/31/2021 6:24 p.m.
In France, tens of thousands are taking to the streets against stricter corona measures for the third weekend in a row. The government wants, among other things, to expand compulsory testing and to make vaccinations mandatory for health professionals.
While there is still discussion in this country about how to convince vaccine skeptics, Germany’s neighbor France is proceeding much more rigorously: Most recently, Parliament approved mandatory vaccination for health workers. And the obligation to provide evidence of a negative corona test is also being expanded significantly.
Surveys show that a majority of French support the tougher measures, but there are also many opponents. And they vent their anger for the third weekend in a row: Thousands gathered in Paris. The authorities expect well over 100,000 demonstrators across the country. Protests were registered in more than 150 cities, including Toulon, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Marseille and Nice.
“Attack on Freedom”
In Paris, many supporters of the “yellow vests movement” mingled with the demonstrators. You accused the government of, among other things, an “attack on freedom” on posters. More than 3,000 police officers were on duty, including on the Champs-Elysées, whose main entrances were cordoned off.
The French parliament passed the law to tighten the corona rules last Sunday after a long struggle. It comes into force on August 9th. It would be conceivable, however, that the Constitutional Council would still prevent the law. The opposition had called the body, it should decide on August 5th.
France is currently struggling with numerous new infections during the fourth corona wave. The last seven-day incidence was around 214. About 47 percent of all French people are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.