I figured this day would come. It was inevitable when Sarkozy made it four years instead of three that a foreigner would have to be married before being eligible to apply for citizenship. A small detail, perhaps, but a sign that he wanted more control over immigration and the foreign population. Despite having to jump through administrative hoops and produce amounts of paper that would make environmentalists seethe, becoming a citizen for Westerners is relatively easy (particularly if you’re married to a French native).
When Sarkozy talks of the necessity for foreigners to adhere to France’s democratic values and secularism, he’s taking particular aim at the substantial muslim and North/West African population who, in his eyes, do not sufficiently adapt. Now, in what is likely a strategic political move to pull conservative votes away from the National Front for this year’s election, Sarkozy and his party are taking action to make it harder to become French. Prior to this month, becoming French required a certain number of years in the country, stacks of documentation, an interview and a lengthy wait. Time-consuming and frustrating but tolerable.
Now, candidates will be tested…
