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Besson added that he believed that non-EU residents should eventually be allowed to vote in local polls within the next 10 years. According to L'Express, ...
See all stories on this topic
FranceToday.com
Besson added that he believed that non-EU residents should eventually be allowed to vote in local polls within the next 10 years. According to L'Express, ...
See all stories on this topic
First Secretary of the French Socialist Party Martine Aubry unveiled plans on Tuesday, January 12 to push for a bill allowing foreigners residing in France to vote in local elections, the AFP reported. As a reaction to Aubry's declaration, Immigration Minister Eric Besson said that it would be "counter-productive" to open the debate in the current "tense economic and social period." Besson added that he believed that non-EU residents should eventually be allowed to vote in local polls within the next 10 years. According toL'Express, President Nicolas Sarkozy said during his 2007 campaign for the presidency that he supported giving foreigners the right to vote in municipal polls but never took action. Allowing legal foreign residents to vote for local politicians could lead to drastic changes in election results.
Besson: "counterproductive" to ouvir debate on the vote of foreigners
(AFP) - There are 3 days
PARIS - The Immigration Minister, Eric Besson, said Tuesday that it was not shake the question of foreigners to vote during elections, saying it was "counterproductive" to open this debate in "period of tension ".
Mr. Besson was interviewed by reporters after the Socialist Party's decision to file a bill for the right of foreigners to vote in local elections.
"Not only do I not believe it now but it seems counterproductive even to term - a term of 10 years - it seems to be a legitimate debate," said Mr. Besson, adding that it was "not discussthese questions when we are experiencing economic and social tension ".
The Minister reiterated that "personally" he was in favor of voting. But, he ruled, "is a mistake to stir - because it is a stirring," debate "in an election period and in a period of tension.
"This debate is not illegitimate. It must be asked calmly. The worst service we can render to those and those who believe in this idea, this proposal would be to open it now. I think that it is important not to do it, "he recommended.
The first secretary of the PS, Martine Aubry, has announced that "today, the Socialist Group of the National Assembly will introduce a bill on the right to vote in local elections.
During the 2007 presidential campaign, Nicolas Sarkozy had also declared in favor of voting rights of foreigners in local elections but had not chosen this option in its program.
"Naturalization is the culmination, the logical culmination of a successful integration," Mr. Besson has argued in recalling the position of the subject responsible for the majority (Xavier Bertrand and Jean-Francois Cope). He added: "in the French republican tradition is through naturalization that acquires the right to vote."
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
(AFP) - There are 3 days
PARIS - The Immigration Minister, Eric Besson, said Tuesday that it was not shake the question of foreigners to vote during elections, saying it was "counterproductive" to open this debate in "period of tension ".
Mr. Besson was interviewed by reporters after the Socialist Party's decision to file a bill for the right of foreigners to vote in local elections.
"Not only do I not believe it now but it seems counterproductive even to term - a term of 10 years - it seems to be a legitimate debate," said Mr. Besson, adding that it was "not discussthese questions when we are experiencing economic and social tension ".
The Minister reiterated that "personally" he was in favor of voting. But, he ruled, "is a mistake to stir - because it is a stirring," debate "in an election period and in a period of tension.
"This debate is not illegitimate. It must be asked calmly. The worst service we can render to those and those who believe in this idea, this proposal would be to open it now. I think that it is important not to do it, "he recommended.
The first secretary of the PS, Martine Aubry, has announced that "today, the Socialist Group of the National Assembly will introduce a bill on the right to vote in local elections.
During the 2007 presidential campaign, Nicolas Sarkozy had also declared in favor of voting rights of foreigners in local elections but had not chosen this option in its program.
"Naturalization is the culmination, the logical culmination of a successful integration," Mr. Besson has argued in recalling the position of the subject responsible for the majority (Xavier Bertrand and Jean-Francois Cope). He added: "in the French republican tradition is through naturalization that acquires the right to vote."
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
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