(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most French adults think foreigners born in countries not in the European Union (EU) who reside in France should be allowed to vote in local elections, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 55 per cent of respondents share this view, while 42 per cent disagree.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most French adults think foreigners born in countries not in the European Union (EU) who reside in France should be allowed to vote in local elections, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 55 per cent of respondents share this view, while 42 per cent disagree.
French residents who were born in EU countries currently have the right to vote in municipal and European elections. Other foreign-born French residents do not have that same right.
In May 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy, candidate for the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) and former interior minister, won the presidential run-off with 53.06 per cent of the vote. Sarkozy appointed François Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister.
Last month, the opposition Socialist Party (PS) introduced a bill to allow French residents born in non-EU countries to participate in local elections. PS leader Martine Aubry said she expects the government to support the initiative since it was one of Sarkozy’s campaign promises, declaring, "The president said he was in favour, well then, he should make sure it passes."
Polling Data
People who were born in countries that belong to the European Union (EU) and reside in France have the right to vote in municipal and European elections. Do you favour or oppose allowing people who were born in countries that do not belong to the EU and reside in France to vote in local elections (i.e. municipal, cantonal and regional)?
|
Favour |
55% |
|
Oppose |
42% |
|
Not sure |
3% |
Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 807 French adults, conducted on Jan. 13, 2010. No margin of error was provided.
