A citizens’ consultation on Europe opened in Toulouse
It is an unprecedented citizen consultation that was launched in France on the European question. In total, eighteen regional conferences have been or are currently meeting to bring together volunteer citizens on the future of the European Union. A sort of follow-up to the Citizen’s Convention for the Climate initiated by Emmanuel Macron in 2019 around the environmental issue.
The event, led by Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs, is all the more significant for the executive as from 1 January 2022, France will take over the rotating presidency of the EU for six months. .
In Occitania, the Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques, in Toulouse, was chosen as the theater for this unprecedented marathon. Some 54 citizens, from different horizons, will be asked to debate around a single question: “As a French citizen, what changes do you want for Europe?”
“Glaring inequalities”
“It’s simple and very open, so as to leave the field open to all expressions, while immediately accepting the idea that Europe is imperfect,” explained Clément Beaune.
Covid-19, politics, citizenship, economy … by Europe. I am always surprised to observe glaring inequalities between Europeans in education in particular. “
Surrounded by experts, and in the presence of the former Socialist Minister of European Affairs Elisabeth Guigou, the citizens participating in these consultations will have to list “what works and what does not work within the European Union and to build by the debate on the Europe of 2035 “. “The objective here is to be heard on issues that must have a strictly local framework, rejoice Valentin, 20 years old and from Nîmes. Today, we encounter great difficulties in being heard on the issue. European. “
Castex on site
In Toulouse, the event will have an echo especially as Jean Castex, Prime Minister, is expected on site this Saturday morning.
At the end of these three days of consultation, six citizens of Occitania will again be drawn by lot to participate in a national conference scheduled for October 15. The government has also set up a digital platform which aims to involve European citizens in the decisions that will be taken at the end of the consultation.