FRANCE
The Haves and Have-nots
France’s upper house of parliament partially approved a bill that would require mandatory coronavirus vaccinations for certain professions and access to cultural and leisure venues in spite of ongoing mass protests against the proposed restrictions, Politico reported Sunday.
Lawmakers approved the draft law but introduced changes that would exempt minors and exclude restaurants and café terraces from requiring the new “passe sanitaire.” They also want the rules postponed by a month to September.
The legislation now needs final approval from the lower house of parliament.
The vote came as more than 160,000 people protested across France against the proposed rules, calling them a “sanitary dictatorship” and saying they violate individual liberty.
The country has been gripped by demonstrations over pandemic restrictions, which have attracted large crowds despite the summer vacation. In response, officials have offered some concessions including lowering fines for noncompliance and changing rules for shopping malls in a bid to curb the unrest.
Debates and protests over vaccine passes have also become prevalent across other European countries as they fight against rising infections.
In Germany, the topic has remained particularly divisive: Chancellor Angela Merkel is proposing rules that would limit the movement of unvaccinated people, for example barring them from restaurants, movie theaters and other venues.
Opposition politicians have criticized the proposals.
Last week, Italy introduced a “green pass” proof-of-vaccination system to grant access to certain leisure activities and restaurant dining.
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