“The Popular Spring is the ecology of the 90%. The ecology that brings everyone into the transition. Not the kind of accusation, but the kind of outstretched hand. The kind that targets private jets and space tourism, not workers who have to drive simply to work,” asserts Samuel Cogolati.
This initiative marks a deliberate break. It is structured around three priorities: defending the planet against climate change, social dignity as a fundamental right, and resisting the authoritarian excesses that are shaking our democratic societies.
“While the engineers of chaos try to pit people against each other, we build common ground. We resist. Together. To give power back to those who no longer have it,” declares Marie Lecocq.
Following the success of the Popular Survey conducted among more than 18,500 people, Marie Lecocq explains, “During this survey, we sometimes received slaps: real ones, useful ones, but slaps that wake us up. Above all, this survey offered us a huge opportunity: to reconnect with citizens.”
“This world is going crazy, reaching its limit, and everyone feels it. We say STOP. The planet has limits, and we will defend them without hesitation. We will no longer apologize for wanting to protect living things to avoid collapse,” thunders Samuel Cogolati.
Ecolo co-presidents Marie Lecocq and Samuel Cogolati
To embody this shift, two concrete levers are being used. On the one hand, “L’Écho populaire”: a simple, one-click digital platform for consulting citizens every week on major decisions related to current events. “Not everyone has time to have a coffee with a member of parliament… and it’s these voices, your voice, that we want to amplify. That’s why we’re launching L’Écho populaire. One question per week. And answers that we’re committed to relaying to parliaments,” explains Marie Lecocq.
On the other hand, “Les Cafés populaires”: monthly meetings in each province, to debate on a human level, far from the traditional codes of politics.
The Printemps populaire marks a turning point for Ecolo. A new cycle is beginning, running until the end of 2025: that of an ecology that unites, unites, and uplifts! “One thing is certain: there will be a before/after 2025,” conclude the Co-Presidents.
