“A referendum would be counterproductive”, responds the Economic, Social and Environmental Council to Emmanuel Macron

“A referendum on immigration would be counterproductive”written in a letter dated Monday September 11 and addressed to Emmanuel Macron, Thierry Beaudet, president of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (Cese), in response to that of the President of the Republic arising from the “Saint-Denis meetings” in which the Head of State said he was open to broadening the scope of the referendum, particularly on immigration.

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A week after a 12-hour marathon meeting, Emmanuel Macron promised Thursday to the leaders of political parties rapid proposals on broadening the scope of the referendum, which could then be used on immigration after a constitutional revision. The president explained that the question of immigration “will be dealt with on the one hand in Parliament this fall through the government’s bill, on the other hand through the question of the referendum and possible changes to the Constitution.”

According to the president of Cese, “one of the most effective ways to reduce tensions is to avoid creating them.” “That is why, according to him, a referendum on immigration would be counterproductive.

“The referendum tool is used to make decisions, not to construct them collectively and even less to shed light on them.”

Thierry Beaudet, president of Cese

at franceinfo

“What can we expect from a referendum campaign on this subject in an extremely polarized political and media context, if not to inflame consciences?”he then asks, calling for “a necessary public debate” On the question, “based on facts and not opinions, which has never happened in our country.”