Assembly of French Citizens Abroad

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Assembly of French Citizens Abroad
Assemblée des Français de l'étranger
Leadership
President
Structure
Seats90
Political groups
Centre Right Alliance (37),
French of the World – AFDE (29),
Independents (10),
Non-inscrits (14)
Elections
Last election
2014
Meeting place
Centre de Conférences ministériel
27, Rue de la Convention,
15th arrondissement of Paris
Website
http://www.assemblee-afe.fr/

The Assembly of French Citizens Abroad (French: Assemblée des Français de l'étranger) is the political body that represents French citizens living outside France. The assembly advises the government on issues involving French nationals living outside France, as well as the role of France in overseas developments. Membership consists of directly elected representatives, senators representing French citizens abroad and officials appointed by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

History[]

The issue of representation for French nationals abroad was first addressed in the French Fourth Republic (1946–1958). Three seats were allocated to the Council of the Republic (the then-upper house of Parliament), representing citizens residing in Europe, America and Asia-Oceania. In addition, there were four agencies based in Paris also representing French interests abroad: the Union of French Chambers of Commerce Abroad, the Federation of French Teachers Abroad, the Federation of French Veterans Residing Outside France, and the Union of French Citizens Abroad (UFE). The conflict between these organization and the National Assembly in appointing the three members of the Council of the Republic led to the decision to form an entirely new body to represent French citizens abroad.[1]

Foreign minister Georges Bidault signed the decree establishing the High Council of French Citizens Abroad (French: Conseil supérieur des Français de l'étranger, CSFE) in July 1948.[2] The CSFE consisted of 55 members: the three Councillors of the Republic representing French nationals abroad, the presidents of the four organizations above, 42 elected members, and five members appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The first elections were held in 1970 in 70 countries.[1]

Turnout in these elections suffered a decline from 1997, which prompted efforts to extensively reform the CSFE. It was renamed the Assembly of French Citizens Abroad. The proportion of elected members was further increased. In addition, the electoral boundaries were revised to account for the changing demographics of French nationals abroad.[1]

Role[]

The assembly is tasked with protecting the interests of French citizens abroad on issues such as the teaching of French, rights as citizens, social and economic problems, and taxation. They advise the French government on issues concerning French nationals living outside France and the role of France in overseas developments. The assembly also appoints representatives to various public agencies in France, including the National Stock Exchange, Permanent Commission for Employment and Vocational Training of French Citizens Abroad, etc.[3]

The assembly meets four times a year. Bureau meetings take place in June and December, while plenary sessions are held in March and September.[4]

Organization[]

Members[]

The AFE is composed of 90 members:[5]

Secretariat[]

Day-to-day affairs are run by a general secretariat. The secretary general is appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.[5]

President[]

The council is presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.[4] He is the council's president, and is assisted by three vice presidents elected by the council.[5]

  • President: (since 2014)
  • Vice presidents:[6]
Member District Group
Bruno Dell'aquila Libreville Independents
Martine Schoeppner Genève Centre Right Alliance

Committees[]

Members also join committees which prepare reports on specific issues which are submitted to the council's sessions. The permanent committees include:[5]

  • Security and Protection of People and Property
  • Education, Cultural Affairs, Worldwide Audiovisual and Francophonie
  • Social Affairs and Military Veterans
  • Finance, Budget and Taxation
  • Laws, Regulations and Consular Affairs
  • Foreign trade, Sustainable Development, Employment and Training

Elections[]

Elections to the assembly are staggered based on geographical location.

The 90 elected seats are distributed among 15 electoral districts proportional to population. The districts are as follows:[7]

Countries Chief city Seats
Americas 18
 Canada Montréal 4
 United States New York 7
Latin America and the Caribbean São Paulo 7
Africa 16
North Africa Casablanca 7
West Africa Dakar 4
Central, Southern and East Africa Libreville 5
Europe 39
Central and Eastern Europe (incl. Russia) Warsaw 3
Northern Europe London 8
Southern Europe Rome 5
Iberia Madrid 6
Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland Geneva 11
Benelux Brussels 6
Asia and the Levant 17
Central Asia and the Middle East Dubai 4
East Asia and Oceania Hong Kong 9
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories Tel Aviv 4

Composition[]

Members organize themselves into political groups. A minimum of 18 members is required to form a group.[5] The assembly currently consists of four groups.

Composition of the Assembly of French Citizens Abroad
Group Members
French of the World – AFDE (Français du Monde – AFDE) 29
Independents (Conseillers Indépendants et Libres) 10
Centre Right Alliance (Alliance de la Droite, du Centre et des Indépendants) 37
Non-Inscrits (crossbench/independent) 14
Total 90

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Historique" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  2. ^ Décret n° 48-1090 du 7 juillet 1948 instituant un Conseil supérieur des Français de l'étranger auprès du ministère des Affaires étrangères, Journal officiel, 7 July 1948
  3. ^ "Rôle de l'Assemblée des Français de l'étranger" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Qui sommes-nous?" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Organisation" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  6. ^ "Message des vice-présidents" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  7. ^ "Décret n° 2014-144 du 18 février 2014 relatif aux conseils consulaires à l'Assemblée des Français de l'étranger et à leurs membres" (in French). Legifrance. Retrieved 2011-05-25.

External links[]

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