President Emmanuel Macron officially invited the political parties represented in Parliament to a meeting on August 30, “a loyal outstretched hand” in order to build legislative texts “together” and to pave the way, “if necessary”, for referendums. The Head of State thus clarifies his major political initiative announced in the middle of the summer. The discussions, one afternoon and one dinner, will focus on “the international situation and its consequences for France”, “the effectiveness of public action” including new avenues for decentralization and institutional reforms and “cohesion of the Nation”, according to a letter made public on Saturday.
Ability to converge
“You share solid agreements and real disagreements between yourselves. But when the best interests of the country are at stake, I have confidence, like many French people, in our ability to converge without denial or renunciation”, writes Emmanuel Macron in this letter addressed to the party leaders, as well as to the presidents of the assemblies. After wanting to dismiss the National Rally (RN) and France insoumise (LFI), the Elysée changed its mind and finally invited these two formations.
The Head of State confirms that he is prepared to have recourse to the referendum route if necessary. “The ambition will be to agree on courses of action that can find concrete and rapid translations in the achievements of the government and the legislative texts built together. The people, through the voice of their representatives and, if necessary, by referendum, will have the last word,” he added.
Emmanuel Macron also mentions in his letter the recent urban riots which “revealed in part of our youth a loss of sense of authority and civility, a form of decivilization”. The letter specifies that the place of the exchanges will be communicated quickly, and calls on the participants to propose written contributions or to suggest other themes.