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| France scraps Sarkozy citizenship test likened to gameshow | |
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| The French government is scrapping plans to introduce citizenship tests ordered by Nicolas Sarkozy and will make it easier for foreigners living in the country to gain French nationality. | The French government is scrapping plans to introduce citizenship tests ordered by Nicolas Sarkozy and will make it easier for foreigners living in the country to gain French nationality. |
| Manuel Valls, the Spanish-born Socialist interior minister who at 20 became a citizen, said this week that France was a country of "welcome". But he complained that under the rightwing former president, access to citizenship had been "hindered and restricted" to reflect a nation which was "doubtful, viewed the world with suspicion and was tempted to close in on itself". | Manuel Valls, the Spanish-born Socialist interior minister who at 20 became a citizen, said this week that France was a country of "welcome". But he complained that under the rightwing former president, access to citizenship had been "hindered and restricted" to reflect a nation which was "doubtful, viewed the world with suspicion and was tempted to close in on itself". |
| Scrapping the test ordered by Sarkozy he said: "You don't become French by answering multiple choice questions." Earlier this year, he had likened the test to a TV gameshow. Topics for questions included the dates of building of the Eiffel tower and the chateaux of the Loire as well as: Was Edith Piaf a singer, cyclist or bird expert? And which of the following was never president? Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, François Mitterrand or Victor Hugo. | Scrapping the test ordered by Sarkozy he said: "You don't become French by answering multiple choice questions." Earlier this year, he had likened the test to a TV gameshow. Topics for questions included the dates of building of the Eiffel tower and the chateaux of the Loire as well as: Was Edith Piaf a singer, cyclist or bird expert? And which of the following was never president? Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, François Mitterrand or Victor Hugo. |
| The test was the brainchild of the former interior minister Claude Guéant who made citizenship requirements tougher last year – but it was never introduced after Sarkozy failed to get re-elected. | The test was the brainchild of the former interior minister Claude Guéant who made citizenship requirements tougher last year – but it was never introduced after Sarkozy failed to get re-elected. |
| Crucially, Valls will also scrap the requirement introduced by Sarkozy that each candidate for citizenship must have a permanent employment contract. Now, short-term contracts will also be accepted. The requirement for a high-level of French language, an understanding of the values of the Republic and to sign a citizenship charter remain. Other criteria include how long a person has been living in France. | Crucially, Valls will also scrap the requirement introduced by Sarkozy that each candidate for citizenship must have a permanent employment contract. Now, short-term contracts will also be accepted. The requirement for a high-level of French language, an understanding of the values of the Republic and to sign a citizenship charter remain. Other criteria include how long a person has been living in France. |
| In 2010, around 120,000 foreigners were granted citizenship and French passports but that figure fell by 30% between 2010 and 2011. Valls said he wanted to reverse the trend. | In 2010, around 120,000 foreigners were granted citizenship and French passports but that figure fell by 30% between 2010 and 2011. Valls said he wanted to reverse the trend. |
| The French right criticised Valls's initiative. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National, said French nationality "shouldn't be granted as if handing out metro tickets, like it has been for years". | The French right criticised Valls's initiative. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National, said French nationality "shouldn't be granted as if handing out metro tickets, like it has been for years". |
| About 80,000 people a year take the UK citizenship test, introduced by Labour in 2005 as an essential part of applying to settle in the UK and acquiring a British passport. | About 80,000 people a year take the UK citizenship test, introduced by Labour in 2005 as an essential part of applying to settle in the UK and acquiring a British passport. |