France's Constitutional Council has
ruled against seven mayors who demanded to be exempted from performing same-sex marriages. JMG reader David provides the translation:
The Constitutional Council deems that by not providing a provision to allow government officials to assert their disagreement with the dispositions of the May 17, 2013 law and avoid performing official duties associated with celebrating marriages, the legislation aimed to ensure the application of the law by officers and thus to guarantee proper performance and neutrality of the State’s public service. The Council deems that given the duties of State officials in celebrating marriages, the legislation did not attack their freedom of conscience. The Constitutional Council judges the contested dispositions of the law respect the Constitution.
