France survey finds majority back citizen assemblies and desire for greater public power

A May 2025 poll of 2,500 French respondents reveals deep mistrust in political institutions—only 13 % trust politics, 17 % the government and 21 % the National Assembly—while 80 % remain attached to a democratic system.

Two‑thirds (67 %) consider citizen assemblies a positive development and half (50 %) trust them, yet 35 % are skeptical, with 56 % of those calling the assemblies “a scam that lets politicians buy time.” Over half (53 %) support replacing the Senate with an allotted chamber, and 35 % favor assemblies drafting laws. When asked who should set assembly agendas, 40 % want citizens to decide via petitions, compared with 20 % preferring Parliament, and 36 % favor ratification of results by referendum.

The findings suggest French voters seek more direct public power rather than merely consultative mechanisms, challenging existing models of “managed consultation” and indicating potential pressure for institutional reforms.