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Why did Maximilien Robespierre oppose the king’s right of veto?

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Eighteenth-century painted portrait of Maximilien de Robespierre wearing a brown striped coat, high collar, and white cravat, set against a plain background. — Maximilien Robespierre One of the leading figures of the French Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre.

Maximilien Robespierre opposed the royal veto because he was a staunch advocate for the principles of the Enlightenment and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. He believed that all laws should conform to these revolutionary ideals, which emphasized popular sovereignty and the will of the people.1

By opposing the king’s right of veto, as well as the abuses of ministerial power, Robespierre sought to ensure that the legislative process remained a true expression of the people's will rather than being subject to the obstruction of the monarchy. His stance was part of a broader commitment to democratic reforms, including his advocacy for universal suffrage and the right to petition, as he consistently fought against structures that concentrated power in the hands of the crown or elite institutions.1