We vote this Sunday, June 12 in France for the legislative elections. But in the eleven constituencies of French people living abroad, the first round took place last week. And since this Friday, June 10, voters can vote online for the second round. In the seventh constituency, which brings together Germany, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans, RFI interviewed a few voters.
With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibault
In the seventh constituency of French people living abroad, a debate opposed Thursday evening the outgoing deputy of the majority, Frédéric Petit, to his opponent from the Nupes Asma Rharmaoui-Claquin.
This constituency brings together sixteen European countries. It goes from the Franco-German border to the borders of Poland and Romania, from the Baltic to the Black Sea and the Adriatic.
A challenge for the campaign of the various candidates, to make themselves known on the ground, to meet voters and present the program of their respective coalitions.
Participation remains low for these elections abroad. Seven out of ten voters did not vote in the first round in this constituency, even though turnout was higher than elsewhere. The online vote for these eleven constituencies encountered technical problems…
►To re-read: Hiccups prevent some French people living abroad from voting
Stephan Maigné is a consular advisor.
It is not well enough known, it is especially that. We see the participation rate, 25%, 29% now, so it’s not enough. We still need to promote these elections a little bit, it’s something important.
This low participation is also explained by a different relationship of these voters to their country, analyzes Cédric Pellen, of the Marc Bloch Center in Berlin, who works on the political representation of French people abroad.
The French abroad have by definition a much more distant relationship with French politics. We are no longer going to vote on major principles. For example, in Germany, European issues, Franco-German issues are very central in electoral choices.
It was an important theme during the debate on Thursday evening, alongside national politics, but also issues close to these voters such as tuition fees for French schools or the consular network.
For Bénédicte Bergeaud, these last aspects are important. These deputies abroad can bring up specific problems that are less known in France.
They act as relays for the little hassles of everyday life, because we are forgotten. Especially because we have very specific problems, and I think that in the European Union, we have even more specific problems than when we are in the United States, in Africa and in Asia.
The 123,000 voters in the constituency can vote until 12 p.m. Wednesday online, by post, by proxy or at the ballot box on Sunday, June 19.
►To re-read: The coveted constituencies of French people abroad whet the appetites
Thursday evening’s debate in Berlin was moderated by our correspondent Pascal Thibaut