Will Macron's 'Great National Debate' Help Defuse France's Yellow Vest Unrest?
With his government rocked by ongoing yellow vest demonstrations, French President Emmanuel Macron launched a nationwide series of community conversations. But some wonder if anything will change.
Stung by criticism, and with his government rocked by ongoing protests from yellow vest demonstrators, French President Emmanuel Macron last month launched a nationwide series of community conversations — what his government calls a grand debat national or "great national debate." Since mid-January, groups of mayors, local leaders and ordinary citizens have been meeting to hear and respond to complaints, grievances and suggestions.
The public forums are set to continue through March 15. More than 3,000 have been held already, in rural hamlets and big cities.
