Assembly of French Citizens Abroad

Assembly of French Citizens Abroad
Assemblée des Français de l'étranger
Assembly of French Citizens Abroad; Assemblée des Français de l'étranger
Leadership
President	Marc Villard
Structure
Seats	90
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]

90 members elected by universal suffrage from 130 districts around the world who serve six-year terms[4]

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: Marc Villard (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	14
Total		90

References

"Historique" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
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
"Rôle de l'Assemblée des Français de l'étranger" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
"Qui sommes-nous?" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
"Organisation" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
"Message des vice-présidents" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
"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

(in French) Assemblée des Français de l'étranger — Official site

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[hist-1] "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

[role-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.

[who-4] "Qui sommes-nous?" (in French). AFE. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.

[org-5] "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.