Legislative branch: Emmanuel Macron violated voting rights with his letter to the French?

As if there was nothing he could do about it. This Sunday, Emmanuel Macron published a long letter “to the French” in the regional daily press and in particular in our columns. In this message, consisting of almost thirty paragraphs and more than 1,300 words, the head of state speaks of the dissolution announced on the evening of the European elections, which he justifies on many grounds.

He also takes the opportunity to praise the results of the last seven years and pledge his desire for change by the end of his second five-year term. But he also took up his pen to send a message to the voters, whom he called – indirectly, but nevertheless very clearly – to vote for the “central bloc” Ensemble pour la République!, the “best” path “for our country.” ” According to him.

By deciding to once again appeal to the French, the head of state violates, first of all, “the obligation not to interfere in the election campaign,” notes constitutionalist Guillaume Tussaud.

During his press conference on June 12, Emmanuel Macron assured that he “will not (campaign) in the legislative elections.” The commitment quickly faded into oblivion. A G7 summit, a music festival at the Elysee Palace, an interview with one media outlet or another… everything is good for commenting on the political situation in the country and expressing your opinion about the candidates worth voting for.

1978 precedent

But nothing surprising. In elections of this type, “every president of the republic clearly stated his preferences,” the Sciences Po professor recalls. There are precedents. During the 1978 legislative elections, which did not take place in the context of dissolution, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing was clearly committed to his cause, recalls Bruno Daugeron, professor of public law at the University of Paris-Cité.

During a speech in Verdun-sur-le-Doubs (Saône-et-Loire), he called for “making the right choice for France” and avoiding coexistence with the left.

In fact, this position taken by the head of state “underlies the ambiguity of presidential rule,” he notes. In principle, the Constitution states that the President of the Republic is “an arbiter who wants to be above parties,” except that he is in fact “a dedicated actor thanks to his election by universal suffrage.”

Not the same rules for deputies and the president

Newly elected deputies are “prohibited from a certain number of things” as part of the legislative campaign, the specialist continues. But Emmanuel Macron does not obey these rules.

Of course, “one would expect him to try to distance himself from party affiliation. But it was he who dissolved the Assembly,” the professor notes, adding that the president of the republic “is in any case politically busy” the rest of the time.

However, speeches by the head of state can be deducted from the performance time of Ensemble pour la République!. As part of a letter, if it is the subject of a simple discussion on set or on the radio, time will not be counted. On the other hand, this will be the case “if outgoing deputies or candidates come to defend him,” Bruno Dogeron clarifies.