National governments should make use of mayors to restore dialogue with the population, as is the case in France, where “cahiers de doléance” (lists of grievances) have been introduced and local debates initiated in response to the “yellow vest” crisis. The French experience shows the importance of mayors in safeguarding democracy, explained Ignacio SANCHEZ AMOR, Spanish Secretary of State for Territorial Policy, and Michel FOURNIER, Vice-President of the French Association of Rural Mayors (AMRF), in a debate on this subject on 2 April 2019, during the Congress plenary session.
Former Vice-President of the Congress Ignacio SANCHEZ AMOR reminded participants that local democracy is “the key to a country's democracy”, like Spain, which is highly decentralised. He was sorry to note, however, that the economic crisis experienced in recent years had in many cases led to reductions in the financial autonomy of local authorities, to the point where we must now ask ourselves whether the time had not come to restore it, particularly in relation to the regions.
Noting that town halls are not only administrations, but also, first and foremost, providers of services for citizens, he stressed the extent to which local authorities are aware of, and a reflection of, the wishes of the population. Mayors, whose job requires them to be available at all times, play a crucial role in ensuring territorial cohesion.
Michel FOURNIER, mayor of Les Voivres, in the Vosges (France), observed that, in the “yellow vest” crisis, the mayors invited to talk about their experiences have effectively become “doctors capable of finding an antidote to the conflict”. A conflict, incidentally, which might well have been avoided had more attention been paid to local elected officials in the first place.
“It is the mayors, especially in outlying areas, who know best the needs of local residents and who ensure balance in the rural world.” In the “yellow vest” crisis, mayors have been called upon to act as an interface between central government and the population, because they are also the only elected officials who are not widely distrusted by the public. In France, mayors enjoy a 60% approval rating, followed by département councillors.
“We are sometimes treated as minor officials of no importance, especially as we are basically volunteers, but in reality, our role is vital for the preservation of democracy,” he concluded.
This sentiment was echoed by Xavier CADORET (France, SOC), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities and Mayor of Saint-Gérand-le-Puy, who felt it was a pity that governments did not make greater use of mayors’ skills in improving the quality of democracy. Several speakers also expressed concern about funding being insufficient to cover all the needs; a combination of factors which, according to Pauline STERRER (Austria, EPP/CCE), meant there were too few candidates in local elections, thereby undermining local democracy.
- Speech by Ignacio SANCHEZ AMOR, Spanish Secretary of State for Territorial Policy
- Interview - Mediabox
*** 36th Session of the Congress ***
