Emmanuel Macron invites party leaders for a new meeting in Saint-Denis on November 17

In a letter sent on Sunday, November 5, Emmanuel Macron invites party leaders to a new meeting on November 17 in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), France Télévisions learned, confirming information from the daily Le Figaro. A similar meeting had already taken place at the end of August, in the same place. The President of the Republic proposes in particular to continue “reflections on the avenues for development of the referendum”, according to the document that France Télévisions was able to consult.

On the referendum, while none “consensus” had not been found previously, Emmanuel Macron proposes new work, where “everyone will be able to react and propose changes”. “It would involve both taking up bills relating to so-called ‘societal’ issues such as the end of life sometimes mentioned, but also broader reforms affecting several intertwined aspects, as is the case with questions migration issues which concern sovereign, economic, social or even diplomatic matters”, he sketched.

Lower the RIP threshold to one million voters

Emmanuel Macron wants to lower the threshold to one million voters, compared to nearly 5 million currently, to allow the organization of a shared initiative referendum (RIP). He suggests also lowering the number of parliamentarians required (93 against 185) and “also give citizens the opportunity to take the initiative” of this RIP, “while today only parliamentarians can launch the procedure”. Introduced in a constitutional reform in 2008, no RIP has yet been successful.

Three other topics will be on the agenda: “the international situation”, “a mission relating to decentralization”, as well as “Corsica, New Caledonia and more generally the Overseas Territories”. “Environmental and social justice issues are still not on the agenda. It’s quite mind-blowing in real life #Disconnect”reacted on (ex-Twitter) the boss of EELV, Marine Tondelier.