# Avec la démocratie directe, à Ménil-la-Horgne, les habitants décident et le maire exécute

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/le-choix-de-franceinfo-3101940/avec-la-d-mocratie-directe-m-nil-la-horgne-les-habitants-d-cident-et-le-maire-ex-cute
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/le-choix-de-franceinfo-3101940/avec-la-d-mocratie-directe-m-nil-la-horgne-les-habitants-d-cident-et-le-maire-ex-cute.md
Podcast: [Le choix de franceinfo](https://stenobird.com/podcast/le-choix-de-franceinfo-3101940)
Published: 2026-04-23T04:48:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.franceinfo.fr/replay-radio/le-choix-franceinfo/tout-le-village-prend-la-decision-avec-la-democratie-directe-a-menil-la-horgne-les-habitants-decident-et-le-maire-execute_7940147.html
Audio file: https://proxycast.radiofrance.fr/0760f712-f39e-4aba-a3f2-891453f91f66/b593aad5-ce4d-47a8-8e5e-fc7625139427/10fb38bb-ac8c-451b-9705-b8483f3da497/26948-23.04.2026-ITEMA_24486481-2026I16412S0113-NET_MFO_B46E6066-B7B7-4516-A710-C2974D0B66AF-21-95a1ee50f9513a3832eaf2fb5014f86e.mp3
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Duration seconds: 271

## Resource

In the village of Ménil-la-Horgne, the mayor acts as an executor of the people's will rather than a sole decision-maker. This immersion explores how direct democracy through citizen assemblies revitalizes community bonds and accelerates local projects.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The mayor's role has shifted from deciding policy to executing the mandates approved by the assembly
- Practical takeaway: Direct voting on local issues, such as lowering the voting age to 16, ensures high community engagement
- Social impact: Regular assemblies have transformed a disconnected 'dormitory town' into a cohesive, communicative community
- Efficiency gain: Direct citizen involvement has led to faster implementation of projects like solar panels and sports facilities
- Failure mode: The system requires a large majority to pass motions, which can lead to intense debate and potential friction over budget allocations

## Topics

Direct democracy, Local governance, Citizen assembly, Community engagement, Ménil-la-Horgne, Public policy, Social cohesion, Municipal management

## Chapters
- 0:20 — The Athenian Model in Meuse: An introduction to the direct democracy experiment in the small village of Ménil-la-Horgne.
- 0:40 — A Passion for Civic Engagement: Claude Keyser discusses how local history and passion drive the village's participatory approach.
- 1:10 — Success Stories: The City Stade: How a youth-led initiative for a sports facility gained overwhelming support and changed the mayor's perspective.
- 1:30 — Inside the Citizen Assembly: A look at ongoing projects like wind turbines and the atmosphere of the first assembly since the elections.
- 1:50 — Voting on the Future: Residents debate and vote on lowering the local voting age to 16.
- 2:10 — Budgetary Debates: The assembly weighs the costs of hiring municipal staff against the need for new equipment.
- 3:20 — Rebuilding Social Cohesion: Personal accounts of how the assembly process has ended social isolation and fostered solidarity among neighbors.

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## Transcript

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