I’m a bit disconnected from French news. I used to watch TV5—a French-language global television channel—when I came to Canada, but shows I enjoyed were often early in the morning or right in the middle of the afternoon. I used to stream French documentaries but most legit French websites now block foreign IPs for “legal reasons” (idiot!). I used to read La Presse, Canada’s French-language newspaper, but it mostly focuses on Québec and Montréal news. So I’m left with Paris Match magazines I read at Chapters whenever I get the chance—I hit rock bottom, Paris Match is a right-wing trashy mag.
But recently, a few stories made headlines in France first, then abroad. Like the Dupont de Ligonnès family murders in Nantes, my hometown—the father is still on the run and very much wanted by the police, by the way.
Then, I learned that French politicians have it in for expats. Two right-wing French MPs questioned dual citizenship, currently allowed in France (i.e. you can be both a French and Canadian national, for instance). Claude Goasguen noted in an interview that “it was pretty disturbing that a person can vote in France and in another country.” As part of an immigration law project, several right-wing MPs also want anyone who applies for French citizenship to give up their other citizenship. Thierry Mariani, the Secretary of State for transport, supports the creation of a French dual citizen database, “in case of war with another country.” Finally, Jérôme Cahuzac from the Socialist Party “simply suggested” that French nationals abroad should pay taxes in France, saying: “For those who left France, it would be a reminder to pay back France, the country where they were raised, educated and benefited from the healthcare system.”
So let me get that straight. As a dual citizen, French by birth and Canadian by choice, I shouldn’t have the right to vote in both countries, I should support France unconditionally during wartime and I should be on some shady database?
And I’m all for paying taxes—I’m Socialist. I was raised and educated in France, where my parents are paying taxes. Since I left the country and I’m no longer a resident, I’m no longer eligible for free or subsidized healthcare, which is perfectly normal. So why on earth should I pay taxes in France? We don’t even get basic consular services in Ottawa—Ontario residents have to deal with the French consulate in Toronto, where you have to show up in person during “regular business hours.”
I don’t want to be a political pawn. I fulfilled my obligations towards France, including completing my national service. I’m done, thank you very much, now leave me alone.
Talking about political pawns… you must all have heard about the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case. Oopsy doopsy, here is France shining again on the international stage! DSK (his nickname in France) got himself into a bit of a jam. He was arrested in New York for an alleged sexual assault and attempted rape. The scene took place in DSK’s hotel room where, according to the housekeeper, he emerged from the bathroom naked, chased her down a hallway and pulled her into a bedroom. She alleged that she was forced to perform oral sex, but eventually fought him off and told hotel staff about the incident, who then called the police.
As much as I take these kinds of stories and women’s testimonies very seriously, I can’t help thinking it’s a huge setup. I mean, DSK is the president of the IMF and about to run for presidency in France—like him or not, he wasn’t born yesterday. And suddenly he loses all control risking losing everything? Critics say he is a womanizer and I can very well believe he can be pretty thick with women but rape? Seriously?
French media unanimously condemned the now-famous picture of DSK handcuffed and surrounded by the police and the way the American justice system handled the case. Ah, good luck with that one. Just because you’re famous in France doesn’t mean you get to abuse women abroad…
The US is a little different. Generally, if a US citizen were to apply for citizenship in another country, it’s assumed that they no longer want to be US citizens. I think the only way a US-born citizen can have dual citizenship is if they were able to claim it through a parent or grandparent.
As for taxes, the US requires all citizens to pay taxes, regardless of whether or not they live in the country. A certain amount of credit is given for foreign income, since it’s assumed that taxes are paid to the country in which the income is earned, but the US wants their cut. Overseas citizens still theoretically use government services – embassy, passport, etc, so the thinking is that these things need to be paid for. The only way to get out of this is to give up citizenship.
As far as I know, the US is the only country requiring overseas citizens to pay taxes! Weird. I don’t usually mind paying taxes but then I want to have access to some services and we don’t get much from France.
Hey Zhu,
Thanks for the name of that French right wing newspaper: for long I have been looking for one (Le Figaro annoyed me a bit, although I love its director’s literary work).
Now, Right Wingers can often shoot their own foot and the example you offered here is an example of that.
What is wrong with dual-citizenship holders voting in two countries? In my view, it can only enrich the two countries they belong to. For instance, the experience a citizen from Nation A gains from Nation B (to which he also belongs to) can teach something to Nation A and even improve its condition – and vice-verse. As for double-taxation: well, US expats pay taxes in both the US and in the nations they work in, and they have no problems. Portugal (and other nations) offer the option of paying either at home or in the nation they work in (if citizens choose the latter, then they should advise Portugal so that their pension is secured – in case Portugal has Social Security agreements with that country).
This being said: the French Right Wing should not pursue this; and if it does it will suffer the consequences; because the moderate Right Wingers won’t go along with it and might vote either in the centre-right; or wost…it may vote for centre-left (if not left, as a warning). However, double-taxation can be a solution to increase state revenue…but good luck in convincing the French of it.
Portugal, Italy, England, Israel (for instance) have a lot of dual citizens and they don’t feel threatened by it. So France….relax.
I agree with you: it was a setup. The whole story is ill-told. And it is an insult for women who have been really assaulted to have to realise that some women are willing to be a part of such games and make it worse for the real victims *nodding*.
Cheers
Well, to be fair Paris-Match is more like a tabloid. It’s not very good journalism but do tell me how you like it! You can read most articles online. Le Figaro mostly focuses on economy I think.
I don’t like the idea of double-taxation, especially when you don’t have anything left in France (i.e. no property, no bank account etc.). I’m glad to pay taxes in Canada but why should I pay taxes in France? I have never worked there (minus a couple of weeks-long assignments), I don’t have a bank accoutn anymore etc.
Zhu,
You are right about Paris Match: not my cup of tea. But I will keep on searching.
Le Figaro covers a lot of ground, even Fashion lol ;).
I understand your point of view and it is a valid one. Like I said, I wish the French Right all the luck in the world (from what I have read, things do not look good for them and if they insist upon such measures…Adieu!).
Cheers
Paris Match tagline used to be “le poids des mots, le choc des photos” and a lot of people made fun of it because it doesn’t have much content.
1. I didn’t know Paris March is a right wing magazine.
2. I was watching a Taiwanese talk show today and they talked about DSK, and how he was set up as well. And did he really ran all the way to the airport from the hotel, and got arrested 10 minutes before taking off?
3. I can’t no longer vote in Canada because as an expat I am not planning to return to Montreal in 5 years (I wish though) and the election website didn’t explain the rules very well. I was disappointed that I couldn’t vote this election.
Oh yes, Paris Match most definitely is! It’s not exactly Charlie Hebdo 😆
Yep, for DSK apparently that’s one version of the story. The other version of it says he first had lunch with his daughter. The whole case is pretty complicated…
I’m not familiar with the expat and voting rights thing, I think we discussed it before. It has to do with residency, right?
From close sources, the DSK case is not a set-up and is actually a recurring problem. Of course, he’s still innocent until proven guilty and I will let the justice run its course but … I’m pretty sure he did it.
As for the right-wingers and the left-wingers (they are not opposing as far as I know), I’m just waiting for my notice of eviction from France because we, immigrants, disgust them a bit too much!
I want to hear your sources 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of him and my opinion is only based on my guts, and I could very well be wrong. I can imagine him being thick, macho whatever but losing control like that? I doubt it. I hope I’m right anyway because the alternative is scary.
From what I understand, even in university girls were warned against hanging out late with him …
Ouch! Well, I wouldn’t have hung out with him, he does looks a bit creepy. But I’m still not sure I can picture him raping a woman… Maybe I’m just naive. Justice will tell!
Hey we are all political pawns when politicians start playing to the peanut gallery. I don’t really understand the difference between nationality and citizenship and what dual citizenship really means.
As far as DSK is concerned, I hadn’t heard anything about him being set up before. He sure didn’t act innocent. I guess that we’ll find out as time goes by.
Its very expensive for American companies to employ their citizens abroad. They gross up the salary so that the host country and American taxes both are paid.
Dual citizenship is just a fancy word that means having to citizenships (or nationality, it’s the same thing). Fir instance, I’m Canadian and French and I have both passports. Some countries allow you to have two (or three, four…) citizenships while other don’t. For instance, if you are Chinese by birth and immigrate to the USA, you must choose between your Chinese citizenship and a possible US citizenship.
DSK got to do the Perp Walk. Pretty humiliating. Is that just an American thing? Americans sort of instinctively root for the underdog so maybe the reverse of that is a perverse pleasure when the rich and famous get slapped for doing something outrageous. The court will sort it all out.
The perp walk is definitely an American thing, in fact there is no such expression in France. I think you got a good point here, Americans like to root for the underdog and enjoy watching the rich and famous fall.
Very interesting post and yes France has been in the news a lot lately. Canadian news doesn’t make the German news very often, but the piece that did was on the couple who is raising their child genderless. The media does love their sensational stories don’t they.
I didn’t hear about that story! Weird. Similarly, Europeans local news don’t usually make headline in Europe.
Zhu, last time I was in Ottawa I noticed a news shop with lots of logos from French publications on their sign, right downtown on Bank street (west side) just north of Queen, I think, right close to the Parliament Buildings. Have you checked that one out?
DSK…I agree with Cynthia. When you see a pattern like that…I mean of course we can’t know for sure and he deserves a presumption of innocence but I’m inclined not to make accusations of lying against the woman, since it seems to me that she is probably a real victim. Men who commit serial infractions of this type start to feel immune to risk and judge risks poorly because they’ve gotten away with so many things before, so they feel safe escalating their behaviour. They get worse and worse over time until they are stopped. I know it seems crazy that he would do such a thing, given his intelligence and position – why didn’t he just pay a hooker? – but I can believe that he wasn’t thinking rationally.
I know exactly the shop you’re talking about! Right by CIBC. I used to buy French magazine when I first came but they are super expensive so being my usualy cheap self, I read them at Chapters!
I always root for women and don’t disregard such accusations. I’m a woman too and I don’t believe in the “she asked for it” excuse. It’s just that DSK must have known the US takes these kinds of allegations very seriously, and he has (had?) so much to lose… unbelievable. We will see how the case turns out.
Hey there Zhu,
I have been through my head many times the things about duals. I guess that I must like to keep things simple, so I opted a long time ago just to keep my own nationality and every 10 years,re-do my papers. I have lived very well as a resident citizen, and for me, I don’t know what else that would change in my life just because I have French citizenship.
I married and changed my name(as many women do), but I am keeping my national identity. It is a big part of who am I am. But, I understand that for other people they want it all. Each person has to decide and not be influenced by spouse,friends or whoever,.
Yes,the Dupont de Ligonnès case… I hated to tell you about that one, as it happened in your old region. It was so sad and they still can’t figure out what happened to that dude.
Bises x
Yes, I remember we talked about it when we met. I totally understand you keeping your U.S citizenship, it’s a personal choice and it doesn’t make you less French 🙂 But see, when I got married I kept my name!
I was happy to be both Canadian and French because it’s how I feel. But I’m not sure I would give up my French citizenship, I was lucky it was easy to keep both.
Sensationalized news, as much as we think they’re absurd, we like to read them! I know I do, LOL. 😀
Malaysia is a regular on international news for the wrong reasons, we’re too used to that. *duh*
I must admit I don’t hear too much about Malaysia in the news. That said, the other day I read a story about Nasi Goreng, apparently the government wants people to lose weight and tried to banned the dish from the schools!
I also thought it was strange that my friend in Ottawa had to come to Toronto to get her visa for France… I thought she’d be able to do that in Ottawa!
I think we used to be able to do most visa affairs in Ottawa but now it’s Toronto or Montreal (the latter is only if you live in Quebec, even though Mtl is closer for us Ottawa people). A typical case of French administration gone wrong!
What??? Paying taxes in France? That would be insane, wouldn’t it? And on what would they base those taxes? If they give me health care though, I don’t mind… I have been fighting for the past three months to get medical cover here as I couldn’t afford my medical insurance anymore. One of the things I was told is that I don’t earn enough (as I am a student, I can’t claim social welfare and have no income at all since I lost my job). Does that make sense????
It makes sense… for bureaucracy! I’m sorry you have these kinds of issue, it sucks. Being stuck between “too poor” and “not poor enough” sucks.
well, that was the case before, but here it just doesn’t make sense. I’m not stuck in-between, I’m just too poor to be helped!!! Go figure! Bureaucracy as you say!