If foreigners who have moved to France have the “right” to citizens, or are becoming French in a privilege of winning, Emma Pearson asks.
Something unusual happened this week. I agreed with a desperate and annoying and annoying French right desperate for making a political name for himself.
The campaign season seems to have seriously begun in France this week for the presidential elections of 2027,
In France, as in most other countries, going to campaign mode too often means strong mouth politicians who smile with a poorly informed sound that hope to make them “sound difficult.” And unfortunately for those of us that we have emigrated, immigration is a main topic for politicians to try to sound and sound difficult.
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In this category we can put the guy who wants to deport irregular migrants to two small French islands off the coast of Canada, and a speech by the Interior Minister Bruno Retaillean, widely understood that he considers having a crack in the gifts.
Also read who is eligible for French citizenship
His speech promised to “harden” the conditions to obtain French citizenship through the request of a minimum level of knowledge of French language and a promise to integrate into French society, which are already in fact.
Until now, so normal in the campaign.
But Retailleau continued to say that “French citizenship granted to foreigners who live here is a favor, not a right.”
And I agreed with this feeling.
This is something I have thought about because I am currently requesting French citizenship.
It is not an easy process: first brings together a large archive of documents, spending at least € 250 on duplicate certificates, certified translations, French language exams, etc. And then the process begins in the local prigen, which Usyly.
The best guide to obtain French citizenship
Part of this process is the very dreaded French citizenship interview; An individual interview (in French, obviously) in which you must answer questions about any aspect of French history, culture, politicians and society and, in general, convince its interviewer that both agree and agree with the French values.
This is not formality; A significant percentage of people fail in the interview stage, despite having all the relevant documentation.
Last week I woke up in a cold sweat of a dream in which the citizenship interviewer demanded that it give a practical demonstration of boiling milk to make a full -size comte cheese, saying that all true French are going this. (I’m fine now, thanks for asking).
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The process is difficult and becoming French is not just a stuttering exercise.
But real, I’m fine with this. I believe that French citizenship should, in fact, be a privilege and not a right (for those of us who move here, I am not talking about people born in France).
The immigration system is such that it is perfectly possible to obtain long -term residence and remain in France for decades without becoming French.
Those who request citizenship make a decision, and everyone has their own reasons to do so; Yes, some people undoubtedly do so for administrative convenience, but the ethers have deeply personal reasons to want to make a stronger commitment to life in the country chosen to make their home.
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I do not believe that France is a perfect country, and you do not need to tell me about racism, the worrying levels of misogyny and violence against women, about the ‘debates’ irritating endlesly about what Muslim women in the street and about men who are the ones. Who men.
But France is also the country that chose Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité as its national motto; It became the first country to add the right to abortion to its constitution; That presented the most great and elegant Olympic Games you have seen; And that has created a complete philosophical concept to describe, drink and hang out with their loved ones.
Somehow, requesting citizenship, it is a bit to marry: making a public statement of their love and commitment to a country has the complete knowledge that leaves the toilet seat and does not put the orange juice again in the refrigerator.
So yes, I think that becoming a citizen of this country would be a great favor.
Do you agree with Emma? If you have requested French citizens or you are thinking about it, share your views in the comments section below
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