They were created as a result of a reform aimed at providing better representation for French citizens living abroad.
Here’s a brief overview of their history:
Historical Context
- Pre-2008 Representation: Before the constituencies were established, French citizens living abroad could vote in French presidential elections and referendums, but they did not have specific representatives in the National Assembly. They were represented in the Senate by senators elected by the Assembly of French Citizens Abroad (Assemblée des Français de l’Étranger, AFE).
- 2008 Constitutional Reform: The idea of creating dedicated constituencies for French citizens living abroad was part of the constitutional reform initiated in 2008 under President Nicolas Sarkozy. This reform aimed to modernize French political institutions and included various measures to enhance democratic representation.
Establishment of Overseas Constituencies
- Law of 2010: The reform was implemented through the law passed on July 23, 2010. This law created 11 constituencies specifically for French citizens living abroad. The goal was to ensure that French expatriates had direct representation in the National Assembly, similar to citizens living in mainland France.
- First Elections in 2012: The first elections for these constituencies were held in 2012 during the French legislative elections. This marked the first time French expatriates could vote for their own deputies in the National Assembly.
Constituencies and Their Representatives
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- Structure: The 11 constituencies were geographically distributed to cover all regions of the world where French citizens reside. Each constituency elects one deputy to the National Assembly. The constituencies are:
| Constituency | Region | Number of countries |
|---|---|---|
| First | Canada and the United States | 2 |
| Second | Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America | 33 |
| Third | British Isles, Northern Europe, Greenland and Baltic States | 10 |
| Fourth | The Benelux | 3 |
| Fifth | Andorra, Monaco, Portugal and Spain | 4 |
| Sixth | Liechtenstein and Switzerland | 2 |
| Seventh | Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe | 16 |
| Eighth | Southern Europe, Israel, the Palestinian territories | 8 |
| Ninth | Maghreb | 16 |
| Tenth | Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, much of the Middle East | 48 |
| Eleventh | Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Oceania, most of Asia | 49 |
- Role of Deputies: The deputies representing these constituencies have the same rights and responsibilities as other members of the French National Assembly. They participate in legislative processes, represent the interests of their constituents, and work on issues pertinent to French citizens living abroad.
Subsequent Developments
- Continuing Representation: Since 2012, the constituencies have been an integral part of French legislative elections. The representatives for these constituencies play a crucial role in addressing issues unique to expatriates, such as consular services, education, taxation, and social security.
- Evolving Challenges: The deputies for overseas constituencies often face unique challenges due to the diverse and dispersed nature of their constituencies. They must engage with constituents spread across multiple countries and time zones, and address a wide range of local issues while maintaining a connection to French national policies.
Are Overseas departments and territories of France included?
No, the overseas departments and territories of France (DOM-TOM) are not included in the constituencies for French residents overseas as described above. Instead, they have their own specific representation within the French National Assembly and other political structures.
Here’s how the representation of these regions is organized:
Overseas Departments and Regions (DOM-ROM)
The overseas departments and regions of France, known as DOM-ROM, include:
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- French Guiana
- Réunion
- Mayotte
These regions are integral parts of France and the European Union. Each of these departments and regions has its own deputies in the French National Assembly, elected in the same way as those from metropolitan France. They also have representatives in the French Senate and are governed similarly to mainland French departments.
Overseas Collectivities and Territories (COM-TOM)
The overseas collectivities and territories, known as COM-TOM, include:
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Saint Barthélemy
- Saint Martin
- French Polynesia
- Wallis and Futuna
- New Caledonia
- French Southern and Antarctic Lands
- Clipperton Island
These territories have varying degrees of autonomy and different political statuses. They also have representation in the French National Assembly and Senate, but the specifics depend on their individual statuses. For example:
- French Polynesia has multiple deputies and senators.
- New Caledonia has a unique status with special provisions for its representation.
Summary
- French citizens living abroad: Represented through the 11 constituencies for French residents overseas, which cover expatriates around the world excluding DOM-ROM and COM-TOM.
- Overseas departments and regions (DOM-ROM): Have their own deputies and senators within the French parliamentary system.
- Overseas collectivities and territories (COM-TOM): Also have specific representation in the French Parliament based on their individual political arrangements.
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