THE DEMOCRATIC QUINTET · INCLURE
What does political belonging mean when one no longer lives in one’s country?
The proposal
The proposal involves the diaspora in the Senate and the constituent process, while leaving the formation of the governing majority to the resident electorate.
L’objection
Citizens abroad do not always bear the direct consequences of decisions. Conversely, excluding them reduces civic belonging to residence alone.
The response to examine
Differentiated participation seeks to recognise both considerations. Its legitimacy depends upon explicit registration criteria, safeguards against duplicate participation and effective access to voting.
The decisive test
Assess the reliability of registers, access costs, representation of different diaspora communities and cases of duplicate registration.
The author’s contribution to the reform debate. These proposals are neither current law nor an official position of the CRC. The complete official versions submitted to the Commission remain withheld pending its deliberation.