Vote

Pressure grows to allow foreigners a vote in French local elections

Campaigners are joining forces to get non-EU residents’ rights back on the political agenda

What progress on overseas constituencies for Britons abroad?

France has 11 dedicated MPs for its citizens living abroad - UK citizens need similar representation, says pressure group

3.5m Britons abroad urged to register to vote in UK elections

Campaigners call UK citizens living overseas to get on the electoral register after voting rights were reinstated

Why fewer bills are likely to be forced past French MPs next year

The prime minister has used a mechanism called Article 49.3 10 times already to bypass parliamentary voting but this will probably not continue, says a public law expert

Language tests, votes, immigration: French residency changes in 2023

We look at new laws and changes that could affect your residency rights next year

‘Votes for life’ campaign gets funding to fight for Britons abroad

British in Europe group will use the money to lobby UK government on the details of voting rights legislation

Autumn 2023 date for restoration of UK votes lost due to 15-year rule

Secondary legislation is being prepared to facilitate ‘robust new processes’ for voter registration, a minister states

New pro-Europe party wants better rights for Britons abroad

True & Fair believes UK nationals living overseas should not be treated as ‘second-class citizens’

Debate: Should all foreigners in France have vote in local elections?

We speak to a French MP and a city mayor who find themselves on either side of this debate

Johnson’s exit could stall votes-for-life law for Britons in France

A rights campaigner says the PM is running out of time to get the legislation started

English-language titles feature highly in France’s top 50 books

The shortlist spans several languages, genres and eras, and includes 1984, Harry Potter, Jane Eyre and L’Etranger. You can still vote for your all-time favourite

Votes for life for Britons abroad: ‘I’d use mine to reverse Brexit’

Connexion readers react and a political scientist explains the potential impact of a new law that scraps the 15-year limit on voting back home if living abroad

Brittany votes to ask for autonomy from France after Corsica statement

It is too early to talk about independence but the French government’s concession to ‘consider’ autonomy for Corsica gives Brittany hope for more local power

7 changes and key dates for residents in France in May 2022

From online holiday cheques to increased social aid and deadlines for voter registration for French nationals, we look at some of the key dates and changes coming next month

Did you know: France's president was not always elected by the people

Until 1962 the president was chosen by an electoral college of 80,000 officials including MPs and senators, mayors and some other local councillors

What’s your favourite book? New French study asks for nominations

The vast campaign comes after millions rediscovered their love of reading during the first Covid lockdown in 2020, with the eventual winner set to be announced on TV in autumn

Why the 20:00 French election ‘result’ is very often right

The practices of French polling bodies do not rely on interviewing voters coming out of the polling stations so are said to be more accurate

French election: What is a ‘vote blanc’ and does it achieve anything?

Four million people submitted a ‘vote blanc’ or an invalid vote in the second round of the presidential election in 2017

Macron - Le Pen in second round: How did your area of France vote?

Far-right candidates made gains on their 2017, 2012 and 2007 results: 4,453 communes accorded more than 50% of their vote to a far-right candidate this year while only 1,135 did in 2017

‘As a foreigner I cannot vote but a French person is voting for me’

Olga has lived in France for 30 years but without French citizenship they are unable to vote – but via a special platform, they have asked someone else to vote on their behalf

French ski station offers passes at €1 to voters, to limit abstention

The Alps station is offering a saving of €36.40 to anyone who can prove they have voted in the first round of the presidential elections today

French site pairs foreigners who want to vote with election abstainers

Alter-votants helped 1,000 foreigners vote in the 2017 presidential elections by matching them with French nationals. The site hopes to beat that number this month

Votes, budgets, rules: how the French election works and quirky facts

France’s presidential election begins in less than a week

Voting for a French president feels more powerful than for a local MP

Reader Susan Laborde, lost her right to vote in the UK vote after 15 years in France, so her first vote as a French citizen has even more significance

‘We're proud to be voting in France for first time this election’

After 30 years in France, journalist Jane Hanks, now has the right to vote as a French national and is taking the responsibility seriously

Votes for life for Britons abroad expected within weeks

A bill giving back the UK parliamentary vote to Britons who have been abroad more than 15 years is now in its final stages

People with Covid will be able to vote in French presidential election

‘Voting is a constitutional right’ which should not be compromised, France’s government spokesperson has said

Comment: Macron election win would prove poor state of French politics

When he eventually got around to revealing his manifesto, barely three weeks before the first round, it was fabulously uninspiring

Photos: 14 villages vie to be French favourite: which gets your vote?

Voting is now open for the competition, which is part of a France 3 series. We take a look at the villages in the running

French presidential election: Voter registration deadline approaches

People with the right to vote have until March 2, or March 4. We look at who can vote and how to register

French MP proposes law to give 16-year-olds right to vote and drive

The idea of extending the voting age has long been backed by left-wing politicians in France, but some see this latest move as ‘political opportunism’ aimed at attracting young voters to the governing party ahead of next year’s presidential elections

'Votes for life' bill advances in UK despite rich expat donors claims

Minister says the Elections Bill will ensure the voices of Britons across the world can be heard, and their vote taken into account on matters affecting them

New bill presented giving lifetime voting rights to Britons overseas

The legal change was a Conservative Party manifesto promise and comes after many years of campaigns for equal voting rights for Britons who move abroad

France regional elections this weekend: What powers do regions have?

The voting process is different from presidential or mayoral elections, and regional officials have specific powers. We explain.

UK pledges £2.5m to give Britons abroad lifetime vote

Veteran campaigner Harry Shindler tells The Connexion that the end of 15-year limit would be a "very nice 100th birthday present"

Lifetime vote for Britons overseas now ‘very likely’

Britons who have moved abroad are expected to obtain a lifetime right to vote in UK parliamentary elections after a new bill was announced

What are the issues for US citizens living in France?

Democrats and Republicans living overseas explain what matters most to them as the 2020 Presidential election nears

US citizens in France: Get your vote in early

US Ambassador to France urges US citizens to have faith in the voting process

Greens surge to victory in French local elections

The second round of local elections in France took place yesterday (June 28), as results show historically low voter turnout and surprise victories for green candidates in major cities.

France StopCovid app: How it works and how to get it

Controversial contact tracing smartphone app StopCovid is to be available in France on a voluntary basis from Monday June 1, after it was approved for use by the government. We consider how - and if - it will work.

Ex-councillor is now French – weeks too late to stand

No room for disputes at France’s smallest mairie

When the local council of one village in northern France meets in the mairie, everyone gets... close.

Should foreign residents have local vote in France?

Britons are no longer EU citizens due to Brexit so those living in France cannot vote in the local French elections on March 15 and 22 unless they also have French citizenship.

US citizens in France cast votes on Super Tuesday

US citizens living in France have voted in local restaurants and cafés across the country, to take part in “Super Tuesday”, the US presidential primary elections.

PM: Brits abroad for 15+ years to get UK right to vote

British citizens who have been living overseas for more than 15 years will get the right to vote in UK parliamentary elections, a letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised.

UK election close say latest polls

As Britain heads to the polling stations today the latest election polls show the general election is likely to be a close run thing.