Isère: a citizens' initiative referendum organized by two associations close to the "yellow vests"

Two associations close to the "yellow vests" organize until Monday in Saint-Clair-du-Rhone, in Isere, a referendum of citizens' initiative (RIC) to which will be able to take part the inhabitants registered on the electoral lists. This referendum proposes to answer the question "Are you in favor of the RIC in all matters?". The consultation has however "not received the approval of the mayor" of this town of 4,000 souls, Olivier Merlin, said Daniel Fernandes, president of the association "Uni-vers-SEL", which co-organizes the poll.

The citizens' initiative referendum (RIC), a measure that does not exist in French law and that allows the people to give their opinion directly on legal texts, is one of the main demands of the "yellow vests".

"A first in France". "What we want to demonstrate is that the RIC is within the reach of every citizen, the more we will be able to do it, the more we can show that the real power is the people who hold it", explains Daniel Fernandes. The volunteer recalls that "nothing can prevent a citizen from obtaining the electoral list of his commune".

In total, twenty-five people, from one of the two associations (including "Article 3") or simple sympathizers of the movement of "yellow vests", mobilized for the organization of what the local media considers to be " a first France ".

"We want to show the example". On the logistics side, a nearby town hall lent the organizers a ballot box to vote after the mayor refused to join their initiative. A bailiff has agreed to come to ensure the compliance of the poll to its conclusion on Monday, and validate the results. A little more than 70 "voters" had filed a ballot in the ballot box late Saturday afternoon, according to Daniel Fernandes.

Faced with the influx of people from outside the municipality - not able to vote - come to support, the two associations have opened a book in which all can symbolically affix their signature. "We want to set the example and try to be a trigger, it is with the addition of knowledge and energy that we will get things done," says Daniel Fernandes.