A chaotic session and a truncated text. The National Assembly has given the first green light to a health bill on the Covid-19 pandemic, amputated from a key article on the possible return of the health pass for “extra-hexagonal” travel. The text, examined in first reading at the Palais Bourbon, was adopted by 221 votes against 187 and 24 abstentions during the final vote on the night of Tuesday 12 to Wednesday 13 July. He must now go to the Senate.
Health Minister François Braun laconically concluded “to take note” discussions punctuated by multiple negotiations and suspensions of the session. He assured that he would work to restore this text in its entirety during the rest of the legislative process. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne for her part denounced on Twitter the alliance of elected officials LFI, LR and RN “against the measures to protect the French against Covid”.
The situation is serious. By joining together to vote against the measures to protect the French against Covid LFI, the LR and the RN prevent any border control against the virus. After the disbelief on this vote, I will fight so that the spirit of responsibility wins in the Senate.
— Elisabeth BORNE (@Elisabeth_Borne) July 12, 2022
This first text of the legislature thus reflected the difficulty of maneuvering for the government and the relative majority it has. In the opposition, the multiple votes on the articles and amendments showed resolute hostility from the RN and most left-wing groups (LFI, communists, ecologists). But the Socialists have often been absent from the hemicycle or have taken refuge in abstention, the LRs showing themselves sometimes divided.
Article 2 of this “health watch and safety” bill was thus rejected at the end of the evening by 219 votes against 195, thanks to a combination of votes from the RN, LR and a majority of the Nupes left alliance. This article provided for the possibility, if necessary, of restoring the health pass for “extra-hexagonal” travel, from or to abroad. A provision allowing this pass to be required for underage travelers had been rejected a little before.
Against the advice of the government, the deputies exempt all minors from the legal framework of the health pass at the borders and for extra-hexagonal travel, by 196 votes against 183. Cheers resound on the benches of the opposition.#DirectAN #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/ceiolCDqdV
—LCP (@LCP) July 12, 2022
The text is now essentially reduced to its article 1, which allows, due to a still fragile epidemic situation, to continue to collect health data on screening tests (SI-DEP device). Two other remaining articles, on the modalities of a parliamentary follow-up, have been merged into one. “This text at the end of the debate no longer looks like much”estimated the deputy RN Sébastien Chenu.
The elected RN, LR and leftists have throughout the debates multiplied the attacks against the refusal of the government to reinstate the caregivers suspended due to a refusal to be vaccinated. LR Aurélien Pradié once again demanded this reinstatement “to restore harmony in our society”. The rebellious Elisa Martin lambasted in these suspensions “an unprecedented and absurd abuse of power”.