Do the French still believe in the referendum? "There is a deep frustration linked to 2005"

"There is deep frustration about the referendum," political scientist Benjamin Morel warned Emmanuel Macron on RMC , ahead of his appearance on TF1 on Tuesday evening . The President of the Republic could use this opportunity to announce referendums on several issues.

The last national referendum in France was held in 2005. The French voted "no" to the European Constitutional Treaty by 55%. However, the latter was ultimately ratified in a different form. A vivid memory that remains "a profound frustration," Benjamin Morel told Apolline Matin .

"This is not the only referendum that has been flouted in recent years. Local referendums, like the Corsicans who voted against the single community and obtained it ten years later. The same goes for Notre-Dame-des-Landes , where there was a vote for it, but where the project was ultimately buried," lists the lecturer at the University of Paris 2-Assas.

Above all, the latter is concerned about the motivation of Emmanuel Macron, who "wants to hold referendums, but is wondering about the subjects on which to do so."

"It's a way to reposition itself in the political game and use one of its last remaining powers. We're in a very political situation," analyzes Benjamin Morel.

According to an Elabe poll for BFMTV , 8 out of 10 French people are in favor of holding a referendum. The majority of them would like to be questioned on the budget, immigration, and pensions. The problem is that the Élysée Palace "is more focused on territorial organization, the issue of screens for young people, and school hours." Benjamin Morel fears that these are "subjects that risk being of little concern and leading to a form of demobilization, or even indifference."

Emmanuel Macron may prefer a consultation to a referendum, "without any legal framework," warns Benjamin Morel. "The idea is to be able to get the French people to vote on issues, whereas a referendum questions a bill," he explains.

It would be "a sort of mega-poll" that would be "purely consultative." "If there's no law behind it, it has no value," the political scientist points out. This could once again disappoint the French. The cost of such a consultation, estimated at €200 million by the Interior Ministry, could also raise eyebrows among the opposition.