How Politics Can Affect Living Abroad?
Hi There,
There is a political shake-up going on in France that could leave the country in the hands of the far-right party in a matter of weeks. Unlike in the US, where the transition of power takes time, in France it’s immediate. This could mean trouble for foreign nationals in all circumstances in the country, affecting visas, language requirements, residency permits and those looking to obtain citizenship.
Immigration is a funny thing, I always tell people that when you are looking into living in another country, especially if it is for an indefinite period of time, you need to pay attention to the local government and be aware of their attitudes toward any form of immigration. I consider myself a US Expat because my move to Paris wasn’t based on economic advancement or for “the chance at a better life”. I simply wanted to live the Parisian experience. BUT, if the day comes where I get sick of it for ANY reason, I have other options. However, this isn’t to say that I am still not mindful of local politics.
The US is not without its problems. We know the migrant crisis is a huge issue in the States right now as it has been here in Europe for the past two decades. In fact, the anti-immigrant sentiment in America is on the rise, which is rather strange considering that America is a land built on the backs of foreigners since the 1600s. Does slavery ring a bell? But even in more recent times, we see people who fled Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as well as Chinese & Japanese nationals, who began to make up the fiber of the nation. This is why the culture of America is so rich and robust. Each group has made their contributions in their own way.
What has happened to the Western World, especially the Americas? Have we become so intolerant immigrants despite many of us coming from immigrant stock? The two rounds of elections are scheduled for June 30th & July 7th. Let’s see how the far-right approach unfolds in France in the near future not just in legalities but for the culture.
What are your thoughts?