why the Elysée is considering a reform of institutions

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In search of a majority in the Assembly to pass its pension reform, the government could resolve to use article 49.3. At the risk of aggravating the tension. A crisis situation which encourages the Elysée a little more to think about a reform of the institutions… The political editorial of Renaud Dély.

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Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during a ceremony in tribute to Gisele Halimi at the Paris courthouse, March 8, 2023. Illustrative photo. (MICHEL EULER / POOL)

Emmanuel Macron is eager to step over this tumultuous episode of pensions, to move on. The executive therefore phosphorus on many sites, employment, immigration, and here comes the idea of ​​​​reforming the institutions. To this end, the Head of State even recently consulted his two predecessors, the one he won over, Nicolas Sarkozy, whom he often sees, and… the one he betrayed, François Hollande, whom he has since snubbed. six years.

>> Pension reform: why Thursday’s vote in the National Assembly looks very uncertain

So, what could this reform be about? At this point, everything is open. Introduction of a proportional dose, reduction in the size of the regions, authorization to combine mandates for the mayors of small towns, and many other things, as often with Emmanuel Macron, we do not yet know where he wants to land.

A triple interest

For the Élysée, this subject of institutions has a triple interest. First, it is supposed to be more consensual than pensions or immigration. Then, he typically reports to the Head of State, especially for a second term at the end of which he will not be able to stand for re-election. It is therefore a question of leaving an institutional legacy. And then, Emmanuel Macron wants to make it a response to the worsening democratic crisis, from the movement of yellow vests to the deadlock on pensions, through the abstention records beaten in each election.

Except that the subject is of little interest to public opinion… All the rulers have come up against this indifference. Institutions are a passion for lawyers, it excites politicians, journalists a little less, and not at all the French. Especially in times of high inflation when they are primarily concerned about their purchasing power. In the opposition, Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s incantations to the Sixth Republic were no more successful. Worse, for 25 years, all the institutional reforms from the five-year term to the prohibition of multiple mandates have aimed to bridge the gap between elected officials and their voters. And this gap has continued to widen. No doubt because it is not enough to change the rules of the democratic game for the French to regain confidence in politics.


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