Presidential hopeful Valérie Pécresse, representing the Republicans, will enforce attendance limits at her rallies. When questioned by TF1 about implementing capacity restrictions and vaccine pass checks at upcoming Pécresse events, fellow Republican MP Éric Ciotti responded affirmatively and unequivocally.
“It’s a matter of fairness. We can’t impose limits on performances while political gatherings disregard these guidelines,” Ciotti, a presidential nomination contender, emphasized. “Valérie Pécresse will be President of the Republic in a few months’ time. She’s already demonstrating a sense of responsibility to better safeguard our citizens,” he added.
Prime Minister Jean Castex announced Monday restrictions on gatherings—a maximum of 2,000 attendees indoors and 5,000 outdoors—reiterating that the French Constitution prohibits imposing capacity limits or requiring health passes at political meetings and places of worship. However, Health Minister Olivier Véran reportedly expressed a positive outlook on Wednesday.
FFP2 masks mandated at LFI and Communist events
While President Macron’s party, LREM, promptly declared its intention to enforce attendance caps at its events, other parties, including Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise, have opted for FFP2 mask requirements. This measure will be in effect “starting with the next rally for the rebellious France candidate in Nantes on January 16, 2022,” according to campaign manager Manuel Bompard.
The PCF’s national secretary also announced on TF1 that they will distribute an FFP2 mask to each attendee. They will also implement attendance limits. Although neither a vaccine pass nor attendance limits will be mandatory for the campaign rallies, Communist candidate Fabien Roussel will request attendees provide “proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.” Maintaining social distancing will also be essential.
Socialist candidate Anne Hidalgo’s spokesperson, Mathieu Klein, stated that her public events will adhere to “all regulations applicable within the Republic.” He noted that previous meetings had mandated mask-wearing and required health passes, adding, “Let’s ensure this tangential debate doesn’t stifle democratic discourse,” Klein urged, advocating instead for a discussion of “key issues to resolve the health crisis.”
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and Éric Zemmour’s Reconquest movement have stated they won’t restrict attendance at their public rallies. “We’re adhering to constitutional provisions, ensuring political gatherings inform the French public,” RN spokesperson Sébastien Chenu reiterated on Friday. The party will discuss this matter further at its Executive Board meeting on Monday.
