As I was writing my message, I thought that any change could also be because the government realized that the Conseil d'Etat was either going to rule the restrictions unconstitutional or force a major rewrite. What I wrote was already getting too long, and I needed to wrap it up so didn't include this possibility.

The more I think about it, however, the more it makes sense. Lemoyne's preview of whatever is to be announced in the coming week could be a way for the government to head off a public repudiation and dress up its need to reverse a wrongheaded policy (a true fuite en avant) as a magnanimous gesture.

Let's hope we find out soon and the GOF redresses at least one of the many missteps it has made since last fall.