defrost

  Rimmer introduces direct democracy by holding endless referendums on trivial or complex matters via postal voting and televoting, which generates so much voter apathy that the populace protests against the reform. Having introduced direct democracy in a bid to gain ultimate power, Rimmer holds a last vote to 'streamline government', which would give him dictatorial powers; with the populace exhausted, the proposal passes.

[flagged] Jared Kushner Hacked Phone Reveals Secret Negotiations, Millions in Transactions (vanityfair.com)

(French isn't that bad a language)

  In the preceding months there had been growing unease between the police and the inhabitants of ...