France vaccine pass: Opposition party to appeal to constitutional body
Left-wing party La France insoumise says it will take the bill to the Conseil constitutionnel to determine whether or not it goes against the fundamental rights detailed in the Constitution
Left-wing party La France insoumise has announced that it will be taking the vaccine pass bill to the Conseil constitutionnel
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The French government’s controversial vaccine pass bill has been granted final approval by the Assemblée nationale, but could still face another hurdle before it is made law.
Read more:France to bring in vaccine passes: What will change and when?
Some 215 MPs voted for the new law, while 58 voted against and seven abstained, but left-wing party La France insoumise has since announced that it has gathered together the 60 MPs required to be able to take the bill to the Conseil constitutionnel.
The Conseil constitutionnel is France’s highest constitutional authority, and exists to make sure that the principles and rules outlined in the Constitution are upheld.
One of its duties is to examine proposed statutes that have been voted by parliament but not yet made law, to decide whether they conform with the Constitution.
If it states that a law is inconsistent with constitutional principles the law will be rendered invalid.
It is not always compulsory to seek the oversight of the Conseil, but its involvement can be prompted if sought by the President, the President of the Sénat, the President of the Assemblée nationale, the prime minister, 60 Assemblée nationale members or 60 senators.
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La France insoumise wishes to determine whether the vaccine pass bill goes against fundamental rights and freedoms.
The party has published a Tweet criticising the fact that several changes to the bill which were decided by senators – including the elimination of all mention of identity checks – were not retained in the final text.
This latest opposition to the vaccine pass bill could see its introduction further delayed. If the Conseil constitutionnel returns its ruling and approves the bill by Thursday (January 20), it could be made law on Friday and come into force over the weekend.
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In this case, its imposition would come one week later than the government initially envisaged (January 15).
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