At the Palais Bourbon, the grandeur of the place is impressive. That day, a group of students from the Gard department discovered the different salons, in the company of the MP for their constituency, Yoann Gillet.
Discovering the Palais Bourbon
In addition to heritage, the function of elected official arouses their curiosity: “What is the role of an MP? Can a deputy be elected for a maximum time? How to become an MP?” three students ask.
“You become a deputy by running for electionsreplies Yoann Gillet. Tomorrow, when you are an adult, if you want to be a deputy, you run for office. We told you about the hemicycle, which is located just behind these walls. This is where MPs meet and debate. This is where we vote on laws”.
Head to the Senate for another group of students from Gard. It’s 2:30 p.m., the atmosphere is livelier. Michel Barnier, the Prime Minister, makes his entrance.
“It was still impressive”
A place steeped in history which has its importance today, particularly in the hemicycle. On the balconies, the students follow the debates and the speeches that follow one another. Thirty minutes of attentive listening. And they are already expressing their own opinion: “I liked what they said. Sometimes it was true, dit Sahil. “I actually felt a little bit privileged to be here, instead of watching it on TV. It was still impressive” testifies Adrian.
The awakening to democracy
“You saw, it’s still very solemn. We listen, and we applaud, sometimes, explains Laurent Burgoa, senator from Gard, to the children.“It is important to show those who will be the France of tomorrow what this place is where debates take place, and where there is democracy”
Democracy is precisely a notion that these schoolchildren will continue to study in class, but not only that. “In any case, this will be worked on throughout their childhood and adolescent life. And for their adult life, it's important that they can keep all of this within themselves, confides Magalie Gioasa, teacher.
Next step for these schoolchildren: participating in the election of the municipal youth council of their village.
