Everyone can put forward ideas for the Grand Débat

An official told Connexion: “We want the greatest possible number of people to participate.”

The debate, which runs until March 15, is collecting views, via mairies, on what directions France should take.

Anyone can offer to organise a discussion in their local area. Events are also being organised at national and regional level.

The site granddebat.fr allows people to submit ideas online.

We queried why the “status” for creating an online account only has a “citizen” option (along with clubs and businesses etc) and were told this means “member of the public”. You need a French postcode.

Later, a series of “citizens’ conferences” made up of people drawn by lots in each region will consider the ideas. Subjects for discussion should include: ecology, tax and public spending, democracy and citizenship, and the organisation of the state and public services.

President Macron explained the scheme in a “letter to the French people”, published in mid-January before he set out on a tour of mairies (see here).

Search “letter” at our website for a translation of his letter.

Ex-minister Chantal Jouanno withdrew from heading the Grand Débat after her salary of €14,000 a month was deemed excessive in the context of the gilets jaunes protests, which have attacked inequalities.

The pay is not specifically for running the debate but is her salary as head of the Commission nationale du débat public (CNDP), an authority that checks on respect for the public’s right to be consulted over major public spending projects.

Citizen referendums: Good or bad idea? See here