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Gilets jaunes: Will Macron's Grand Debate tackle French crisis? | Gilets jaunes: Will Macron's Grand Debate tackle French crisis? |
(about 4 hours later) | |
An imaginative bid to revitalise democracy in the social media age. Or a cynical manoeuvre to outfox the yellow-vest protesters, and buy time before the Euro-elections in May. | An imaginative bid to revitalise democracy in the social media age. Or a cynical manoeuvre to outfox the yellow-vest protesters, and buy time before the Euro-elections in May. |
Those are the two prevailing interpretations of President Emmanuel Macron's Grand Debate, which he launched in northern France on Tuesday. | |
Over the next two months the plan is for French people everywhere to join in a kind of mass consultation, the conclusions of which will be fed up to government and - in theory - help shape the second half of the Macron mandate. | Over the next two months the plan is for French people everywhere to join in a kind of mass consultation, the conclusions of which will be fed up to government and - in theory - help shape the second half of the Macron mandate. |
It is part two of Mr Macron's response to the yellow vests. Their at times violent protests since mid-November - originally over fuel tax and the cost of living, later against the "system" as a whole - have created his biggest crisis so far. | It is part two of Mr Macron's response to the yellow vests. Their at times violent protests since mid-November - originally over fuel tax and the cost of living, later against the "system" as a whole - have created his biggest crisis so far. |
In December he announced €10bn (£8.9bn; $11.4bn) in pay rises and tax cuts for the less well-off. | In December he announced €10bn (£8.9bn; $11.4bn) in pay rises and tax cuts for the less well-off. |
What is the aim of the debate? | What is the aim of the debate? |
This new initiative is meant to allay another grievance: the lack of democratic representation felt by many people in rural and small-town France. | This new initiative is meant to allay another grievance: the lack of democratic representation felt by many people in rural and small-town France. |
The president's reasoning was set out in a Letter to the French, which he published at the weekend. | The president's reasoning was set out in a Letter to the French, which he published at the weekend. |
France - and Europe - are in a state of anxiety and commotion, he argues. | France - and Europe - are in a state of anxiety and commotion, he argues. |
Clear ideas need to be found "in order to transform the anger into solutions". He wants a new "contract for the nation" - and is asking "the people" to help define its contours. | Clear ideas need to be found "in order to transform the anger into solutions". He wants a new "contract for the nation" - and is asking "the people" to help define its contours. |
How will it work? | How will it work? |
The debates can be held anywhere, and draw in anything from a handful of participants to a crowd. "There must be no taboo," he said on Tuesday. | |
The debates can also take place online. A central group of staff in Paris will provide information packs and guidelines for moderators. | |
After a month, contributors will be chosen by lot from each region and they will then collate the recommendations and pass them up to the government. | After a month, contributors will be chosen by lot from each region and they will then collate the recommendations and pass them up to the government. |
President Macron undertakes to "account for them directly in the month following the end of the debate". | President Macron undertakes to "account for them directly in the month following the end of the debate". |
There are four themes: | There are four themes: |
In his letter, the president gives examples of the kind of question he thinks should be answered. | In his letter, the president gives examples of the kind of question he thinks should be answered. |
How can we make taxation fairer and more effective? What taxes should be reduced as a priority? Are there public services that could be abolished because they are not cost-effective? | How can we make taxation fairer and more effective? What taxes should be reduced as a priority? Are there public services that could be abolished because they are not cost-effective? |
On the issue of democratic representation - a hot topic for yellow-vests - he asks whether blank votes should be counted in elections, and if there should be greater use of referendums. | On the issue of democratic representation - a hot topic for yellow-vests - he asks whether blank votes should be counted in elections, and if there should be greater use of referendums. |
Unexpectedly he also raises immigration. | Unexpectedly he also raises immigration. |
Do you think there should be annual quotas set by parliament? What do you propose in order to respond to the ongoing challenge? | Do you think there should be annual quotas set by parliament? What do you propose in order to respond to the ongoing challenge? |
What do gilets jaunes think? | What do gilets jaunes think? |
Reaction to the Grand Debate among yellow vests has been lukewarm to say the least. "Smokescreen" is the general epithet. | Reaction to the Grand Debate among yellow vests has been lukewarm to say the least. "Smokescreen" is the general epithet. |
One of the movement's leaders - Maxime Nicolle, aka Fly Rider - deplored that there was no mention in President Macron's letter of any of their demands, such as reinstatement of a wealth tax or so-called Citizens' Initiative Referendums. | One of the movement's leaders - Maxime Nicolle, aka Fly Rider - deplored that there was no mention in President Macron's letter of any of their demands, such as reinstatement of a wealth tax or so-called Citizens' Initiative Referendums. |
"All he's doing is giving us a lesson in how to behave, as if we're children and he's the daddy," he said. | "All he's doing is giving us a lesson in how to behave, as if we're children and he's the daddy," he said. |
But at a rally of yellow vests in Bourges on Saturday, many protesters felt obliged to concede that the idea of the debate was in itself not a bad one. | But at a rally of yellow vests in Bourges on Saturday, many protesters felt obliged to concede that the idea of the debate was in itself not a bad one. |
Greater consultation with the people is, after all, at the heart of their cause. | Greater consultation with the people is, after all, at the heart of their cause. |
And among the Paris commentariat there is a visible desire not to dismiss the Grand Debate out of hand. | And among the Paris commentariat there is a visible desire not to dismiss the Grand Debate out of hand. |
As Le Monde's Gerard Courtois puts it: "To bet on failure would be irresponsible. To bet on success would be naïve. The most important thing is to take part." | As Le Monde's Gerard Courtois puts it: "To bet on failure would be irresponsible. To bet on success would be naïve. The most important thing is to take part." |
Across the country polls suggest between 40% and 50% of French people would like to take part - which is certainly not a complete rejection. But good feeling for the yellow vests also remains strong - at around 67% | Across the country polls suggest between 40% and 50% of French people would like to take part - which is certainly not a complete rejection. But good feeling for the yellow vests also remains strong - at around 67% |
So is this a cunning ploy to defeat the protesters or a genuine bid to reconnect with the country? | So is this a cunning ploy to defeat the protesters or a genuine bid to reconnect with the country? |
Perhaps, in true Macronian fashion, it is both. | Perhaps, in true Macronian fashion, it is both. |
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