A historical depiction of Romani life in Europe by Antoni Kozakiewicz, 1884. Wikimedia. PD.On 7 May 2017, French people elected their new president after a challenging race between the independent pro-capitalist candidate Emmanuel Macron and the far-right candidate and member of the European Parliament Marine Le Pen. As French citizens, Roma nationals may participate in the elections and elect the future president of the Republic according to their preferences and political orientation.
If French citizens enjoy such rights fully, for Roma nationals political rights might be an issue for many reasons. Being part of a specific administrative category called “Travellers” (Gens de voyage), targeted by specific legislation and living in segregated areas, Roma nationals have been isolated for years from the rest of the society; this has had a direct impact on their rights and participation in the political life in France.
What are these communities and what is their place in the French society?
The term “Roma” poses a question to the French legislation, as France does not recognise any ethnic or religious minorities. Art.8 of the Data, Files and Freedom act prohibits the collection and treatment of personal data that shows in any direct or indirect way the ethnic or “racial origin, political, religious or philosophic opinion [...]”.
