why Emmanuel Macron will not be present at the Congress in Versailles Monday afternoon

This absence of the President of the Republic “is explained in the name of the separation of powers”, according to a constitutional expert interviewed by franceinfo.

A Congress without the President of the Republic. If it was he who summoned the 925 French parliamentarians to decide on the inclusion of voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG) in the ConstitutionEmmanuel Macron will not surrender at the Palace of Versailles on Monday March 4. In the event of constitutional revision, as is the case here, our fundamental law does not provide, indeed, the presence of the head of state.

“It is not written in black and white in the Constitution, but it is a deduction which is explained in the name of the separation of powers”deciphers Thibaud Mulier, constitutionalist and lecturer at Paris Nanterre University. “The President of the Republic being irresponsible for his actions before Parliament, he cannot enter into contact or physical discussion with its members. This is why the President is banned from Parliament. Except under the right of message , that is to say in the case of a declaration.”

In other words, the head of state is authorized to speak before Congress only during a debate without a vote. This is why Emmanuel Macron was able to speak in front of parliamentarians gathered in Versailles just after his election in July 2017. Then a year later, in July 2018, to report on his action.

Gabriel Attal will speak

In 2008, during the last constitutional revision, Nicolas Sarkozy also “missed” the Versailles Congress for the same reasons. At the time, it was François Fillon, then Prime Minister, who spoke to discuss the modernization of institutions. Monday afternoon, it is Gabriel Attal who will speak to senators and deputies. According to information from franceinfo, no other member of the government will take the podium.

The session will begin at 3:30 p.m. Explanations of vote will follow, lasting five minutes, “alternating between the groups of the National Assembly and the Senate, in descending order of their respective numbers”, we can read on the website of the National Assembly. Finally, the ballot will be open for 45 minutes.

If he is absent in Versailles, Emmanuel Macron plans to speak on the occasion of International Women’s Rights Day, Friday March 8, Franceinfo learned from those around her. That day, the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, will mark with republican wax the text which should (unless there is a surprise) be adopted Monday afternoon.