French Public Demands Democratic Innovation and Major Legislative Reform
A major study shows that French citizens are demanding democratic innovation, with 53% favoring the replacement of the Senate with an assembly of randomly selected citizens. The public increasingly prefers direct participation over traditional electoral models.
Highlights
- •A survey by Sciences Po and Verian reveals strong French support for democratic innovation.
- •Over 50% of respondents support replacing the Senate with a randomly selected citizens' assembly.
- •Public preference leans toward a 'radical democracy' where citizens control agendas and referendums.
- •Skepticism toward existing conventions stems from concerns about political manipulation and lack of genuine influence.
A recent study highlights a growing demand for democratic innovation among the French public, pointing toward a significant shift in how citizens perceive governance. According to comprehensive data gathered by Sciences Po and the Verian institute, a substantial majority of the population is calling for systems that encourage direct participation. This movement reflects a broader skepticism regarding traditional political structures, with many citizens advocating for alternative methods to influence national decision-making.
The research, conducted in May 2025, involved a representative sample of 2,500 people across France. The findings indicate that while trust in established political entities remains low—with only 13% of respondents expressing confidence in politics and 17% in the government—attachment to democratic values remains robust at 80%. This suggests that the public is not rejecting the concept of democracy itself, but rather the current model of professionalized representation often referred to as "electocracy."
Public Support for Democratic Reform
One of the most notable revelations from the survey is that 53% of participants expressed support for replacing the Senate with an assembly selected via random selection. This highlights a desire for institutions that better reflect the diversity of the population and operate with greater impartiality. Furthermore, 67% of those surveyed expressed favor for the concept of citizens' assemblies, viewing them as a potential mechanism to address the ongoing crisis in political legitimacy.
However, the study also identifies a nuance in public expectation: citizens do not want these assemblies to be mere performative exercises. Approximately 56% of those who expressed skepticism toward current citizen conventions described them as tools for political communication rather than genuine instruments of change. Participants are clearly calling for a more "radical democracy," where they have the power to set agendas through petitions and ratify legislative proposals via referendums.
Shifting Architectures of Power
The data suggests that the ideal institutional framework for the French public involves a hybrid model. Regarding the legislative process, 40% of respondents preferred that citizens possess the power to set the political agenda, while only 20% felt that role should remain exclusively with Parliament. Furthermore, 36% advocated for the use of referendums to confirm policy outcomes, distancing themselves from models where assembly decisions are adopted automatically or under the strict control of political elites.
As the country approaches the 2027 presidential cycle, these findings underscore a critical challenge for leadership. Candidates attempting to address institutional reform must now contend with a public that values the "ordinariness" of their peers—prioritizing impartial representatives who are not driven by the need for re-election. For the future of the nation, bridging the gap between traditional governance and these modern aspirations for democratic innovation will be essential for restoring faith in public institutions.
