The right to vote does not curtail

Voting is a civic act mandatory national character.

Voting is a right, voting is a civic duty, it is the sacred act of constant renewal and founder of republican democracy. In France, it is open to community foreigners in local elections. Candidates called left to the next presidential election in 2012 put forward their willingness to extend it to non-EU foreigners in the name of fairness and recognition of their contribution to local life.

Opponents of the idea of expanding emphasize the potential “communitarian” risk  and it is appropriate to note that non-EU foreigners in France can still be naturalized and thus participate fully in the life of the nation and its elections at a local, national and European level.

The challenge for national cohesion is that France can maintain its status as a democratic, republican and secular in its operation and its institutions.

It should be noted that Tunisian Arabic spring has given birth to a new constitution asking the President to elect must be a Muslim, born of Tunisian parents, aged 35 years and not have dual citizenship. The re-Islamization and the Tunisian identity are clearly reaffirmed by the new Tunisian constitution.

French secularism and religious neutrality require French citizens must remain the hallmark of his electorate.

Those that pose the debate in the Senate, the issue of reciprocity in the countries of origin of certain non-EU foreigners in France immediately removes any legitimacy to this question.

At the time of the crisis, at a time when the rampant poverty of the French population is dramatic and where violence and insecurity are gaining ground, the French people may be more likely interested in listening to discussions on how out of this situation, how to find the path of growth, how to reduce deficits, how to save the republican pact, what role the state should have, what kind of Europe do we want?

When the ship through the storm, the master shall ensure that the crew together to face adversity. Any other movement is irresponsible and leads to disaster.

French version here.

Anne-Marie Champoussin

---