France Gears Up for Early Legislative Elections Amid Tight Deadlines
Following a decisive victory for the National Rally in the European elections, President Emmanuel Macron has announced the surprise dissolution of the National Assembly. The French electorate is now set to head to the polls on June 30 and July 7 to elect 577 new deputies. This decision has left the administration with merely twenty days to organize the elections, sparking concerns about the feasibility of meeting the stringent deadlines.
In a meeting with the prefects, Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin acknowledged the challenges posed by the compressed timetable. To ensure a smooth electoral process, a circular on 'the organization of elections' will be dispatched to the prefects. Ministers and state agents are now under a strict reserve period, preventing them from promoting the government’s actions. Candidates must submit their official candidacies by this Sunday, and the official campaign begins on June 16.
Printing campaign posters and leaflets on time is another hurdle that candidates and officials face. Darmanin has urged prefects to focus all resources on managing electoral propaganda and ensuring that candidate documents are enclosed in envelopes promptly from June 18. 'I know that you have a subject of mobilization,' Darmanin stated, emphasizing the need to rally staff despite the summer vacation period, promising fair remuneration.
During this period, voters can make a proxy online, and unregistered French citizens will not have the opportunity to register anew, in order to avoid any 'propaganda problem,' as per electoral rules. Darmanin also highlighted the importance of maintaining security ahead of the Olympic Games, urging prefects to 'hold the State for the security of our citizens.'
The Association of Mayors of France (AMF) has expressed significant concerns regarding the organizational difficulties posed by the early elections, particularly in sourcing assessors for polling stations. The chosen dates coincide with numerous summer activities and events related to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This further complicates efforts to mobilize personnel and ensure smooth election logistics.
A decree published on Monday afternoon detailed the election dates and organizational specifics. French citizens residing in overseas territories such as Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and French Polynesia will vote 24 hours before mainland French residents. French citizens living abroad will have the option to vote electronically starting the Tuesday before the election until the following Thursday.
According to the decree, candidacies must be submitted by 6 p.m. on June 16, seven days after the announcement of the early elections. For the second round, applications are due by July 2 at 6 p.m. While there was initial confusion about the submission timeline, constitutional provisions ultimately override the electoral code, clarifying the process.
The AMF reiterated concerns over the tight deadlines and the logistical burden on municipalities, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the President’s sudden decision. The association highlighted that the physical organization of the votes on June 30 and July 7 poses a significant challenge, especially during a period laden with summer tourism and major events.
- The National Rally's recent victory with 32% of the European vote underscores the growing political dynamics in France. Macron's decision to dissolve the National Assembly comes as a strategic move, but it has created a rushed atmosphere for election preparations.
- State agents and officials have been placed under a 'strict reserve period,' a common practice during sensitive political periods in France, ensuring that government actions are not unduly promoted.
- The Association of Mayors of France (AMF), as the leading representative body for local elected officials, is vocal about the concerns municipalities face. These include not just staffing issues but also the complexities introduced by overlapping summer and sports events.
