Discussion on National Identity in France

In 2009, there was a national debate on "national identity" in France. The discussion was chaired by Eric, the current French Minister of Immigration and National Identity. Besson suggested that the government also set up a website for national discussion, so that the French people can participate in the discussion.

The theme of this discussion is: What does it mean to be French? The government hopes that through this discussion, the people will relive the universal values of France-freedom, equality and fraternity, and make the French proud of the profound cultural essence of France, such as the works of Hugo and Camus.

The reason why Sarkozy's government initiated this discussion originated from a football match in 2008. France was playing Algeria at home in Paris. Before the football match, the national anthems of the two countries will be played. When the French national anthem sounded, some French Algerian players hissed.

A politician present at that time was booed, thinking that France's identity was insulted and left. Since then, politicians have used this opportunity to discuss.

Policies to enhance national identity mainly involve students and immigrants. The purpose is to cultivate French national pride and ensure that immigrants can better integrate into French society.

From the perspective of immigration, every foreigner who is a new French citizen will attend a grand welcoming ceremony to celebrate his acquisition of French nationality. The government will provide courses for immigrants to better master French and understand French values. All those who apply to become French immigrants should sign a declaration, which stipulates their rights and obligations.

In addition, the government has also conducted a test for immigrants with children in the 12 area, and this test will be promoted nationwide from September this year. "The test will focus on the understanding of French values, especially the equality of rights between men and women ... and the mastery of French," Fillon said.

Every school must fly the French red, white and blue flag; Every classroom should have a copy of the 1789 Declaration of Human Rights during the French Revolution; From primary school to university, every French student has a "citizen handbook" to teach them how to become better French citizens.

In recent months, the strategists of Sarkozy's ruling party have keenly felt the unpopularity of this big discussion through public opinion. They speculate that this discussion may endanger the performance of the ruling party in the local elections in March. Therefore, French Prime Minister Fillon "stopped" this discussion in time, so as not to affect public opinion and lay out the layout for the local elections in March.

Lauren, editor of the French newspaper Liberation? Qiao Fulin wrote, "This national discussion, which had hoped to raise meaningful issues, ended in a full retreat with hoarse trumpets."

The French newspaper le figaro also said that after four months of "successful discussions", the government finally gave a "superficial declaration".

Fran? ois, former socialist leader? Orlando also said in his blog that the biggest contribution of this discussion was "the establishment of a new committee and the placement of a group of officials. This idle Committee will stand up and remind the government of the possible consequences of their useless projects at any time. "

He Nuo also believes that this discussion is like a "performance project" and "self-promotion" of the government to prove that he has not been working hard.