National Assembly approves new restrictions, opposition boycots

“Trampling of Parliament”, “humiliation”, “Macronist April Fool” … The opposition had warned that it would not hold back its blows and that the government was going to spend a difficult morning this Thursday in the National Assembly. The promise has been kept.

At 9 a.m., Jean Castex spoke in front of a hemicycle not fully filled, the day after the new restrictions announced by Emmanuel Macron to fight against the coronavirus epidemic. “Once again, the country is facing the bites of this health crisis. Once again, we must face “, launched the Prime Minister, evoking a” third wave which strikes us hard “. Beginning of the lively exchanges to come, the head of government was heckled when he defended the vaccination campaign, which “is progressing and amplifying every day”.

“This debate is a parody, the parliament is a doormat”

“While going up to the platform, I asked myself the question of knowing what we were doing here: I said to myself that we would be more useful in our constituencies”, decided immediately Pascal Brindeau, head of UDI and independent deputies. “What meaning should be given to the vote which will follow the debates? None, none! », Added Bertrand Pancher, for the group Freedoms and territories, while the government did not engage its responsibility on this vote. “If we are at war, why not have organized the national union? This debate is a travesty, Parliament is a doormat. We are therefore choosing not to participate in this simulacrum, ”he continued.

This Thursday morning, it was Emmanuel Macron who was the main target of the arrows. And these became a little more virulent when Jean-Luc Mélenchon advanced towards the stand. “It’s really April 1st today! And the joke of the day is this new masquerade. This meeting is a shame for the French Parliament, it is useless, will have no consequences, everything has already been decided and we are only invited to come and acclaim the presidential monarch, and the best virologist in France, it seems… ” , quipped the rebellious tribune.

In great shape, the presidential candidate denounced “a bad April Fool’s Day. And like all fish, it rots through the head! “. The elected Communist André Chassaigne was on the same line when he denounced “this convocation, a mark of the monarch’s most absolute contempt for Parliament and for the people”.

The vaccine strategy, bludgeoned to the left as to the right

The government’s vaccination strategy has also been the target of the opposition as a whole. “A year ago, we were confined because there were not enough masks and tests. Four months ago, we were confined because the promise to increase the number of intensive care beds was not kept. Today, it is because the vaccination is slow and chaotic ”, criticized Damien Abad, the boss of elected LR officials. “We no longer believe your ads,” continued Valérie Rabault. “On December 3, you announced that 15 million people would be vaccinated before spring. At the end of March, we are there, and only eight million have received a first dose, ”regretted the head of the elected socialist. “In a situation that is turning into health and economic chaos, the country needs more to be led than to be ingenuously reassured”, pleaded for his part Marine Le Pen.

Faced with the attacks, the majority have turned their backs. Christophe Castaner, boss of the macronists, denounced “the hatred and cowardice” of the oppositions, and their “platform effects”. “You were elected to vote and not to desert! Especially in the times we live in! », Added his colleague from MoDem, Patrick Mingola.

Jean Castex, visibly annoyed, responded with uncommon vehemence, that there was “no contempt for national representation”, and deemed “unworthy” the criticisms of vaccination. The majority rose to applaud him, before approving by 348 votes (against 9) the new restrictions announced by Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening.