It’s been months since they promised her. The bill aimed at reforming the voting method in the three largest cities in France before the 2026 municipal elections was presented, on Tuesday, October 15, by four Parisian deputies from the Ensemble pour la République group: Sylvain Maillard, David Amiel, Olivia Grégoire and Jean Laussucq.
The idea of modifying the “PLM” law (for Paris-Lyon-Marseille) of 1982 has existed for at least two years. It was endorsed by the President of the Republic in January 2024. Today, for the authors of the text, time is running out. Its objective has always been to modify the rules of the electoral game at least one year before the elections, as established by the electoral code. Therefore, the extreme limit is April 2025.
But it is not certain that they will achieve it. The political fragmentation of the National Assembly and the absence of an absolute majority for the government make the project uncertain. Especially since the Prime Minister, threatened at any moment with a vote of no confidence, has other priorities. “It is a chestnutsays an advisor to Michel Barnier. Will this eventually happen? Yes. But all those who request it will understand that it is not at all our number one concern…”
“Many neighbors feel abandoned”
However, a next meeting is planned in Matignon. “The government must be the driving force”recognizes deputy Sylvain Maillard, because he is the only one who can allow the two assemblies to examine the text in time. “We know that the political context makes things more difficult than six months agorecognizes David Amiel. But we do our job as parliamentarians. »
In fact, for deputies, the current voting method can produce “a democratic anomaly, in the sense that a mayor can be elected with the support of a minority of votes”. In Paris, Lyon and Marseille, voters do not vote for a list at the municipality level, but for that of their district (or sector). The electoral importance of each person’s vote depends on where one resides, and “Many residents feel abandoned, even forgotten, for this reason alone”they estimate. The stated objective is that, throughout France, one voter is equal to one vote.
The proposal provides for two separate simultaneous votes, one for municipal councilors and another for district councilors. The majority bonus is set at 25% (i.e. a bonus of a quarter of the seats for the list in first place), compared to 50% in the other cities and in the current system. It also foresees that a report will be prepared to study “a greater transfer of powers from the central council to the district councils”.
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