Citizens Convention in France: climate protection without the yellow vest

Since the planned climate engine tax on fuel, the "yellow vests" to the barricades, has been looking to France for new Ways to protect the climate. On weekends, an unusual democratic Experiment ended. A so-called citizens ' Convention presented proposals for more sustainable growth. To include a total of 150 recommendations of the "citizens Convention," a General speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour on all of the car, a ban on single-use plastic, is a duty for the energy refurbishment for home owners, as well as a ban on the sale of cars with high emissions. In addition, the Convention proposes to ban genetically modified seeds and the offence of "Ecocide" in the case of severe damage to the environment criminal law.

Michaela Wiegel

Political correspondent, based in Paris.

The Convention the amendment is in favour of a Constitution, in order to give the right to an intact environment in the Constitution. President Emmanuel Macron has promised the proposals of the citizens Convention to be addressed. He announced that he wanted to get together early next week with the 150 participants. The President had joined already in January, during the consultations a meeting and discussed these with participants. 29. June, he wants to give is also known, whether he should call a Referendum.

people interviewed for the speed limit

transport Minister, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said on Monday, a sharper speed limit on motorways there could be a referendum. "Speed limits affect traffic safety, climate protection and the rights of freedom of the French people," said Djebbari in the radio station RTL. He would prefer it if the French could vote on it. The French Constitution provides for direct Popular referenda. But since the failed Referendum on the European constitutional Treaty in 2005 have shunned the President, on this direct democratic Instrument.

With the convening of a "citizens ' Convention" tried Macron to refute the accusation that the climate protection measures are not democratically legitimated. For nine months of the Convention are members between the ages of 18 and eighty years, at regular intervals in the premises of the economic and social Council in Paris. They had been determined by a sophisticated lottery. So care was taken to ensure that the different regions, age groups and professions to reflect. The Covenant of mayors does not claim to be "representative" for the French society.