Emmanuel Macron spent 92 hours listening to grievances and answering queries in local forums all over France
town-hall meeting in southern France, discussion touched on the reintroduction of bears in the Pyrenees. At another, in Burgundy, Emmanuel Macron was questioned about poor provision for those with autism. The “great national debate”, which began in January and ended this week, has drawn attention to the marathon total of 92 hours that the French president has spent listening to such grievances and answering queries in public debates.
Yet, inevitably, opinion is split on many other matters. The same share of respondents argue, for instance, that France should be more welcoming to migrants as plead for tougher treatment of them. Participants propose plenty of green ideas, including better recycling procedures, or less meat-eating. Yet 58% say that they would not be prepared to pay, for example, a carbon tax in order to encourage greener behaviour. Such are the paradoxes of direct democracy.
Perhaps the most contentious point concerns taxes and public spending. Edouard Philippe, the prime minister, acknowledged that the debate had revealed a. But Mr Philippe also insisted that the results showed the “maturity” of respondents, who know that “we can’t reduce taxes if we don’t reduce public spending.” This may be wishful thinking.
The great debate, in other words, was not a statistical national poll. Indeed part of the point, says Stanislas Guerini, head of Mr Macron’s party, La République en Marche, was “to put the voice of thein perspective”. Online, for instance, only 10% of respondents called for the return of a wealth tax. Yet polls suggest that three-quarters of the French are in favour. Which is partly why opposition parties, and many, have denounced the whole exercise.
Given the conflicting demands, Mr Macron now faces the perilous task of coming up with decisions that neither disappoint nor divide. He is expected to unveil his choices in the coming weeks. In some ways, though, the debate has already served part of its purpose. It has enabled the Jupiterian Mr Macron to show that he is willing to step out of his palace and listen to people. It has provided an alternative way to release national frustration.
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