Being “French enough”? Far right proposal takes us back to the 1930s

Some were born in Algeria, Morocco and Lebanon and then emigrated. Others were born in France but are the children of foreign parents. They are dual citizens living in France and are outraged by the program presented by far-right candidate Jordan Bardella, who intends to ban access to certain jobs for dual citizens.

Bardella, the National Union’s candidate for prime minister and one of the favourites in the legislative race, said he wanted to prevent French citizens who also hold another nationality from holding “extremely sensitive positions”, that is, “the most strategic positions in the State”. The measure, one of the most controversial presented during the election campaign, would involve an organic law and, according to the party, would cover “a very small number of people”.

The rules of the civil service apply to so-called sensitive positions. “In certain cases, it is necessary to be French or European. Certain positions, such as those in the information services, are subject to qualification at different levels, where your pedigree is checked,” the National Union’s program states.

“The Franco-Africans from Black Africa or the Maghreb have clearly understood that this proposal is not directed against the Swedes or the Finns,” says Benoit Onambele, a Franco-Cameroonian who works for an international organization in Paris.

According to Le ParisienIn January, the National Union already presented a bill providing for the possibility of banning binationals from holding positions in government departments and companies. It is estimated that “3.3 million French people could be prevented from working in the future.”

“How can you tell someone who has chosen France, who has embraced its values, often before they arrive, that they are not French enough? It makes no sense…”, also asks Ghada Hatem, a French-Lebanese obstetrician and gynecologist and founder of the Maison des Femmes in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis).

In the 1930s, France passed a measure that prohibited binational citizens from practicing medicine, becoming lawyers, or becoming government employees for ten years after their naturalization.

“The aim was to prevent Jewish doctors and lawyers from practicing their profession in France. At the time, it was an openly anti-Semitic measure,” he explained to the publication. Le Parisien Serge Slama, Professor of Public Law at the University of Grenoble Alpes.

This Sunday, the French are urged to vote in early legislative elections. 577 seats in the National Assembly (parliament) are at stake in these elections. If no party receives more than 50% of the vote (that is, at least 289 elected) (a likely scenario), a second round will take place, already scheduled for next Sunday, July 7.

Legislative elections were not due until 2027, but they were unexpectedly called by French President Emmanuel Macron after the defeat of his party (Renaissance) and the sharp rise of the National Union in the European Parliament elections on June 9.