In a polling station (illustration) -

KONRAD K./SIPA

  • The various left mayor of Carpentras (Vaucluse), Serge Andrieu, promises a “democratic big bang” with four concrete measures of participatory democracy.

  • A right of amendment and a citizens' initiative referendum will be possible on condition that the sufficient number of voters are gathered.

In Carpentras, in the Vaucluse, it is "the big bang of municipal democracy".

The various left mayor Serge Andrieu, who in the last municipal elections won against the National Rally, has the meaning of the formula that hits.

His “big bang” includes two flagship citizen control measures, which he hopes will be taken up by other cities.

“For me, this should be the role of all the mayors of France,” he says.

According to him, no other city has yet taken these measures.

First of all, there is the “right to amend” deliberation projects submitted to the vote of the municipal council.

This right is open from the meeting of 380 signatures (ie 2% of the voters).

"There will be an exchange, a discussion with municipal councilors, they will have the opportunity to withdraw, modify, improve a deliberation", assures Serge Andrieu, who says he is "ready to hear it".

"We involve the inhabitants in the functioning of the municipality, upstream of the municipal council", he rejoices.

One cannot be a citizen only every 6 years at the time of the election.

We must allow #democracy to be exercised permanently.

We offer concrete actions for #Carpentras ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/JqDTnZWgds

- Serge Andrieu (@ SergeAndrieu84) February 26, 2021

Citizens' initiative referendum

Another decision: a citizens' initiative referendum can be organized as soon as a project brings together 1,900 signatures, or 10% of the electoral population.

The other two measures are among the more traditional tools of local democracy.

A citizens' convention of 35 people will thus be drawn by lot on the electoral lists, and a participatory budget has been released, of a rather large amount (700,000 euros each year).

On the opposition side, RN and LR denounced a drawing of lots for the citizens' convention "which was not democratic".

Spokesperson for the citizen collective Carpentras in common, and citizen candidate for the last municipal elections, Mina Idir finds "very interesting to give the floor to the inhabitants".

But it raises many questions.

Starting with the feasibility of the right of amendment when, in practice, the deliberations often arrive shortly after the meeting of the municipal council.

"I find the idea of ​​a great referendum, but when such a measure is announced and all the neighborhood councils have been abolished, there is no relay on the ground, everyone does not stand by informed, ”she says.

To listen to him, there would however be subjects of mobilization, like the creation of a municipal health center to compensate for the lack of doctors.

And also: “In Carpentras, there is no park, no greenery.

The mayor gives him an appointment in a few months, to make a first assessment.

"If each time, we kicked in touch for the amendments, you will be able to say it in six years in the next elections, but that will not be the case", promises Serge Andrieu.

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  • Referendum

  • Citizenship

  • Participative democracy

  • Society