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2007 Assessment

France: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

France: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	92
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	85

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments: Citizens must be 18 years old and be of French nationality (citizens of EU member states can vote in local elections). They must enroll in the electoral registry.

References: Article 3 of the 1958 Constitution, [ LINK ]; Electoral Code

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 6 of the 1958 Constitution (election of the President of the Republic, [ LINK ]html/constitution/constitution2.htm#titre2" target="_blank">[ LINK ];

Electoral Code http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments: Citizens must be 18 years old and be of French nationality (citizens of EU member states can vote in local elections). They must be enrolled in the electoral registry.

References: Documentation Française, Quelles sont les conditions pour voter ?, [ LINK ]

Dmitri Georges Lavroff, Le droit constitutionnel de la Veme Republique, 3rd edition, Dalloz, 1999

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments: Ballots are secret and protected, but there are occasional irregularities and risks linked to the use of electronic voting procedures.

References: Digital Civil Rights in Europe, Internet voting in France under question, Aug. 30, 2006, [ LINK ];

Unita Naziunale, Fraude électorale généralisée en Corse? March 28, 2007

Arritti, La face cachée de l'iceberg, 2003

Gilles Guglielmi, Violer une disposition législative du Code électoral n'est pas une atteinte grave au droit de suffrage, April 20, 2007 [ LINK ]

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments: Elections are held regularly in accordance with the law.

References: Ministry of the Interior, Les élections en France, [ LINK ];

Dmitri Georges Lavroff, Le droit constitutionnel de la Veme Republique, 3rd edition, Dalloz, 1999

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 4 of the 1958 Constitution [ LINK ];

Electoral Code

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments: Age limitations apply: a person must be 30 years old to run for the Senate, 23 to run for the National Assembly, 18 in the other cases. Candidates for the presidency of the Republic must be sponsored by 500 elected officials.

References: Electoral Code;

Law 62-1292 of Nov. 6, 1962 (President of the Republic)

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments:

References: Documentation française, Comment s'organise un parti politique?, [ LINK ]

Dmitri Georges Lavroff, Le droit constitutionnel de la Veme Republique, 3rd edition, Dalloz, 1

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Documentation Française, Quelles sont les conditions pour être élu ? [ LINK ]

Ministry of the Interior, Les modalités d'élection en France, [ LINK ]

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments:

References: Assemblée Nationale, Composition des groupes politiques, [ LINK ]

Députés Socialistes, Groupe socialiste Assemblée Nationale, [ LINK ]

Groupe socialiste du Senat, [ LINK ]