President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a new citizen convention on a yet-to-be-determined topic by the end of the year. This announcement was made during a meeting with members of the citizen convention on end-of-life issues at the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council in Paris. Macron indicated that the new convention will be launched soon and is expected to conclude by the end of his term in office. The theme for this new convention will be explored in collaboration with the council in the coming months, with the possibility of future citizen-initiated conventions.
The previous citizen convention on end-of-life issues had gathered about 200 randomly selected French citizens over several months to discuss potential changes to end-of-life laws and provide recommendations. The resulting project, presented to the Council of Ministers on April 10th, has now begun its legislative process, which may last up to two years, starting in the National Assembly. The proposed legislation allows for assistance in dying for adult patients born in France or long-term residents who are able to clearly express their wishes, experiencing intolerable suffering that cannot be relieved, and facing a life-threatening situation in the short to medium term.
President Macron praised the work of the end-of-life convention, highlighting its role in providing a constructive framework for discussions on a sensitive ethical issue. He emphasized the importance of participatory democracy as a means to re-engage society and address apathy towards public affairs. While acknowledging shortcomings in the organization of the first convention, particularly in response to the citizen climate convention, Macron expressed interest in utilizing referendums as a tool for direct decision-making on key issues. He mentioned ongoing consideration of potential referendums and emphasized the need to carefully choose the right timing for such initiatives.
In addition to discussions on future citizen conventions and potential referendums, the French President emphasized the positive impact of deliberative and participative democracy in fostering societal cohesion and progress. By involving citizens in decision-making processes on important issues, Macron sees an opportunity to bridge divides and rebuild trust in public institutions. While recent critiques have highlighted gaps in the implementation of the conclusions from the climate convention, Macron’s commitment to continuing civic engagement through new initiatives suggests a willingness to address these challenges and strengthen the role of citizens in shaping policy decisions.
Overall, President Macron’s engagement with citizen conventions and his openness to using referendums indicate a commitment to exploring innovative approaches to democratic governance. By involving ordinary citizens in discussions on complex issues such as end-of-life care and climate change, Macron aims to foster a more inclusive and participatory political culture in France. As these initiatives progress and new conventions are launched, the impact of citizen input on policy-making and the success of participative democracy in addressing societal challenges will be closely watched.
