We are publishing this issue of Fédéchoses – pour le fédéralisme (Fédéchoses – for federalism) at least one month late. The magazine is designed and produced by volunteers (except for our printer, whom we thank) and is therefore subject to the uncertainties of their availability ; we apologise to our readers for this delay.
Conversely, this delay allows us to include a look at the recent events in France and illustrate how the idea of a federal France is gaining ground in public opinion, based on regionalism (IFOP poll for ‘Régions et Peuples Solidaires’, some of whose results we are publishing). There are also politicians, often on the right, who express their desire for greater efficiency, for decisions that are more in tune with local realities, and for not everything to be decided in Paris. This call (visible across the political spectrum) for a profound renewal of institutions echoes Céline Spector’s conclusion in Le Monde on October 18th, referring to the crisis of representation : ‘It is not the liquor that is corrupt, it is the vessel’ (Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws).
Another corrupt vessel is that of an intergovernmental European Union that is failing to meet the challenges of the world. Criticism of the speech by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen strongly expresses frustration at the Union’s inability to address security and defence issues, support Ukraine, protect the European economy undermined by US tariffs, etc. The ‘Declaration for a Sovereign and Federal European Res Publica’ highlights the expectations of civil society and citizens who demand ambitious decisions from our leaders.
A third crack is the one that is tearing the Middle East apart. We publish several articles, including an interview with Monique Chemillier-Gendreau calling for sanctions against Israel to enforce international law, which was notably absent from the recent Sharm el-Sheikh agreements. These agreements are wrongly called ‘peace’ agreements, as it is unlikely that they will lead to anything other than a ceasefire. Peace-building will take time, and federal initiatives will have to contribute to it.
We also republish two articles on Rojava, the part of Syrian Kurdistan that has implemented a unique democratic experiment based on Bookchin’s theory of communalism. This reminder also serves to recall the ongoing ‘transition’ in Syria. Rojava is an example of the rapid establishment of a state-like structure that respects minorities and builds an emancipatory democracy for its citizens. This theme will also be the subject of the UEF France’s Jour Fixe on November 12th.
Edouard Saïd, quoted by René Wadlow, said that ‘writing is the last resistance we have against the inhuman practices and injustices that disfigure human history.’ So, in the face of the current upheavals, we hope that you will find in our publications voices that bring another vision of the world.