Local vote for all expats rejected
Socialist proposal to give non-EU nationals the right to vote in local elections is defeated in the National Assembly
MPs have rejected a proposed law that would have given non-EU nationals living in France the right to vote in local elections.
The law change, which was drawn up by the Socialist party, was defeated yesterday in the National Assembly by 313 votes to 212.
Since 2001, expats in France who come from an EU country have been allowed to vote - and stand - in municipal elections. The PS law would have extended this to all foreign residents.
Socialist leader Martine Aubry said opening up the vote would have helped France "move away from the rhetoric about integration and foreigners" prompted by the government's recent debate on national identity.
The left has suggested giving non-French citizens living here the right to vote for the past 30 years. It was one of François Mitterrand's 1981 election pledges.
Meanwhile, British nationals living in France are running out of time to register for a proxy or postal vote ahead of the next UK General Election, which is likely in early May and must be called by June 3.
The Connexion website has details of the way to register for proxy or postal votes - click here for more information and a link to download a form.
The April issue of The Connexion, out now, also looks at the issue of expat postal voting - and how a number of overseas votes are unlikely to arrive in time to be counted.
